tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528973813853190533Tue, 13 Nov 2018 10:27:25 +0000book reviewtheme song saturdayurban fantasy5 skullsteaser tuesdayfollow friday4 skullszombieshorror3 skullsYA fiction2 skullsTheme ThursdayYAYA seriesya post-apocalyptichorror/urban fantasy reading challengezombie monthparanormal romanceeroticajim butchermysterypost-apocalypticvampiresapocalypse watch 2012audio bookbook challengedystopian fictiongiveawaygraphic novellate nightreviewbook tourfaefictionjeaniene frostsci-fithrillerupdate1 skullbdsmbook blogger hopbook review suzanne collinsfantasyfiction with zombieskaren marie moningya horrorYA fantasynon-fictionretellingseanan mcguirewerewolvesYA adventureadults onlyaliensauthor interviewawardcarrie ryanclassicscontemporarydemonsdiana rowlanddresden filese.l. jamesguest posthistorical fictionhistoryjesse petersenjonathan maberrykim harrisonmy book boyfriendneil gaimanpeter straubpromo blitzrhiannon fraterrichelle meadrick yanceysinnful 2¢stephen kingsusan beth 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(sinn)Blogger424125SinnfulBookshttps://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528973813853190533.post-2300443825385526253Wed, 03 Oct 2018 01:01:00 +00002018-10-02T19:05:03.003-06:00alma katsucannibalismhistorical fictionhorrorthe donner partythe hungerBook Review — The Hunger<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WMwzipyLFZw/W7QMekxJ01I/AAAAAAAADH4/WiR_MQ1r7z8XgKM6TqELR7aJ7dnvlIcogCLcBGAs/s1600/the%2Bhunger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="332" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WMwzipyLFZw/W7QMekxJ01I/AAAAAAAADH4/WiR_MQ1r7z8XgKM6TqELR7aJ7dnvlIcogCLcBGAs/s400/the%2Bhunger.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><b>Title:</b>&nbsp; The Hunger<br /><b>Author:</b>&nbsp; Alma Katsu<br /><b>Genre:</b>&nbsp; Horror, historical<br /><b>Pages:</b>&nbsp; Hardback 373<br /><b>ISBN:</b>&nbsp; 978-0-7352-1251-0<br /><b>Opening Lines:</b>&nbsp; <i>"Everyone agreed that it had been a bad winter, one of the worst in recollection.&nbsp; Bad enough for some of the Indian tribes, Paiute and Miwok, down from the mountain."</i><br /><br /><center><h4>Rating</h4><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sinfulbooks_rating3_small.png" /></center><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"<i>Evil is invisible, and it is everywhere.</i> That is the only way to explain the misfortunes that have plagued the wagon train known as the Donner Party.<br /><br />"Depleted rations, butter quarrels, and the mysterious death of a little boy have driven the isolated travelers to the drink of madness. Though they dream of what awaits them in the West, long-buried secrets begin to emerge, and dissent among them escalates to the point of murder and chaos. They cannot seem to escape tragedy . . . or the feeling that someone—or something—is stalking them. Whether it's a curse from the beautiful Tamsen Donner (who some think might be a witch), their ill-advised choice of route through the uncharted terrain, or just plain bad luck, the ninety men, women, and children of the Donner Party are heading into one of the deadliest and most disastrous Western adventures in American history.<br /><br />"As members of the group begin to disappear, the survivors start to wonder if there really is something disturbing, and hungry, waiting for them in the mountains . . . and whether the evil that has unfolded around them may have in fact been growing within them all along."<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: right;">~ Jacket copy</h4></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hk9JgbjQh5A/UUAKRB4vRSI/AAAAAAAACqI/9IyKbgdAUX8HyzxllDdYPhTqF3T0i1gBQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/whythisbook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="47" data-original-width="302" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hk9JgbjQh5A/UUAKRB4vRSI/AAAAAAAACqI/9IyKbgdAUX8HyzxllDdYPhTqF3T0i1gBQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/whythisbook.png" /></a></div><br />If you've been reading my blog on and off in the last several years, you know that I always <i>try</i>&nbsp;to read horror novels all throughout the month of October.&nbsp; While my husband and I were back in Laramie at the end of September, I decided to do a little research on the latest and greatest horror novels of 2018.&nbsp; This book popped up on every. single. list!&nbsp; Since I was a teenager, the Donner Party has always been rather fascinating.&nbsp; When you combine a true story of cannibalism with a supernatural twist, I'm in!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tYWbkWwjfvg/UT_WHh_5K1I/AAAAAAAACpU/htcWnrHwV9kA6koeVt41Eh0jTm9UtaFpQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/whatsitabout.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="51" data-original-width="198" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tYWbkWwjfvg/UT_WHh_5K1I/AAAAAAAACpU/htcWnrHwV9kA6koeVt41Eh0jTm9UtaFpQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/whatsitabout.png" /></a></div><br />Basically, it's the Donner Party!&nbsp; If you don't know the story, I highly suggest doing a little research.&nbsp; In my opinion, it has become pseudo American folklore and lives in infamy akin to Roanoke.&nbsp; This novels takes that story and adds disappearing children, hushes whispers from Native Americans, and rumors of creatures stalking the party.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LhAs8q5NGGE/UT_XijkC6JI/AAAAAAAACpc/TUB5ZMYBwIgkxzO3GQHbQswLiFNe4iXOQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/thoughs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="40" data-original-width="203" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LhAs8q5NGGE/UT_XijkC6JI/AAAAAAAACpc/TUB5ZMYBwIgkxzO3GQHbQswLiFNe4iXOQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/thoughs.png" /></a></div><br /><br />The last few years, it has been exceedingly hard to fully dig into a novel.&nbsp; Something about this book was able to pull me in and keep me reading.&nbsp; Katsu did an amazing job building a growing sense of dread.&nbsp; At points, I found myself turning on every light in the house and jumping when my kitten sneezed.&nbsp; However, I couldn't point to one thing or one issue that was necessarily creepy.<br /><br /><i>The Hunger</i>&nbsp;starts in April 1847 with a rescue mission to find survivors of the failed wagon train.&nbsp; After some gruesome discoveries, the author pulls the readers back to June 1846 near the start of the Donner Party's ill-fated journey.&nbsp; The reader follows Tamsen Donner, Charles Stanton, Mary Graves, Elitha Donna, Edwin Bryant, and a few other characters.&nbsp; Each chapter is written from a different character's perspective and follows the party until January 1847.<br /><br />While the story had an interesting premise, I felt as though it fell short.&nbsp; Katsu was able to keep me reading and engaged in the novel; however, she spent the majority of the book building to a climax that fizzled out at the end.&nbsp; At many points during the novel, I found myself wondering whether she was going to use the wendigo.&nbsp; The Native Americans are a big deal at the beginning of the novel; therefore, it would stand to reason that she would pull on their ancient belief.&nbsp; Unfortunately, that was a loose end.&nbsp; When the audience finally does get a glimpse into the possible connection between the strange happenings and the cannibalism, Katsu never explains it.<br /><br />In addition, I felt the pacing was rather slow.&nbsp; Katsu spends an inordinate amount of time introducing the readers to these historical people and giving us access into their personal thoughts/lives.&nbsp; However, it doesn't truly amount to anything.&nbsp; Why did we—the readers—have to spend so much time invested in Charles Stanton?&nbsp; The same goes for Mary Graves.&nbsp; The slow pace makes it even more frustrating when the ending is extremely anti-climactic.<br /><br />Please do not get me wrong!&nbsp; This was was enjoyable and made me jump in noises in a new house.&nbsp; Unfortunately, once I finished it, I felt a dissatisfied.&nbsp; If you love history, cannibalism, and horror, <i>The Hunger </i>is worth a shot.<br /><br /><center><img alt="Much love, Sinn" border="0" src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sig.png" /></center><div class="feedflare">
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~4/UCRIix-SwMM" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~3/UCRIix-SwMM/book-review-hunger.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (sinn)0http://www.sinnfulbooks.com/2018/10/book-review-hunger.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528973813853190533.post-5904506924048824103Mon, 02 Jul 2018 04:00:00 +00002018-07-01T22:00:55.680-06:004 skullsbook reviewcrime fictioncrime thrillerFragileLisa UngerthrillerBook Review — Fragile<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IqH8dlAA3O4/WzmPUG5BIWI/AAAAAAAADHo/q2_VmqCUSDEXX-LyTv_cuEeGBlEAPDlXwCLcBGAs/s1600/Fragile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="329" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IqH8dlAA3O4/WzmPUG5BIWI/AAAAAAAADHo/q2_VmqCUSDEXX-LyTv_cuEeGBlEAPDlXwCLcBGAs/s1600/Fragile.jpg" /></a></div><b>Title:</b>&nbsp; Fragile<br /><b>Author:&nbsp; </b>Lisa Unger<br /><b>Genre:&nbsp;&nbsp;</b>Crime fiction, thriller<br /><b>Pages:</b>&nbsp; Hardback, 323<br /><b>ISBN:</b>&nbsp; 978-0-307-39399-9<br /><b>Opening Lines:</b>&nbsp; "<i>When Jones Cooper was younger, he didn't believe in mistakes.&nbsp; He thought that every road led you somewhere and wherever you wound up, that's where you belonged.</i>"<br /><br /><center><h4>Rating</h4><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sinfulbooks_rating4_small.png" /></center><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"Everybody knows everybody in The Hollows, a quaint, charming town outside of New York City. It's a place where neighbors keep an eye on one another's kids, where people say hello in the grocery store, and where high schoo cliques and antics are never quite forgotten. As a child, Maggie found living under the microscope of small-town life stifling. But as a wife and mother, she has happily returned to The Hollows's insular embrace. As a psychologist, her knowledge of family histories provides powerful insights into her patients' lives. So when the girlfriend of her teenage son, Rick, disappears, Maggie's intuitive gift proves to be useful to the case—and also dangerous.<br /><br />"Eerie parallels soon emerge between Charlene's diappearance and the abduction of another local girl that shook the community years ago when Maggie was a teenager. The investigation has her husband, Jones, the lead detective on the case, acting strangely. Rick, already a brooding teenager, becomes even more withdrawn. In a town where the past is always present, nobody is above suspicion, not even a son in the eyes of his father.<br /><br />"'I know how a moment can spiral out of control,' Jones says to a shocked Maggie as he searches Rick's room for incriminating evidence. 'How the consequences of one careless action can cost you everything.'<br /><br />"As she tries to reassure him that Rick embodies his father in all of the important ways, Maggie realizes this might be exactly what Jones fears most. Determined to uncover the truth, Maggie pursues her own leads into Charlene's disappearance and exposes a long-buried town secret—one that could destroy everything she holds dear. This chilling novel is about one community's intricate yet fragile bonds will leave readers asking How well do I know the people I love? and How far will I go to protect them?" <br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: right;">~ Jacket copy</h4></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0gJeLMQdc4w/UTOpuGqEwSI/AAAAAAAACm0/yRhL43kIEt8TWth7vqGENyrODzLW6BCsgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/whythisbook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="47" data-original-width="302" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0gJeLMQdc4w/UTOpuGqEwSI/AAAAAAAACm0/yRhL43kIEt8TWth7vqGENyrODzLW6BCsgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/whythisbook.png" /></a></div><br />Since the start of last fall semester and moving into student teaching, it has been nearly impossible for me to get into a book.&nbsp; Even if some shred of it happens to grab my attention, nothing is able to keep me from putting it down.&nbsp; Coming home after being at the high school from 7:30am-3:45pm five days a week, lesson planning, ceaseless grading, and attending to school work, mind-numbing TV was far more appealing.&nbsp; However, that did not stop my desire <i>to</i>&nbsp;read.&nbsp; Oftentimes, I found myself crying in my couch to my poor husband about the deep depression I was sinking into because I couldn't read.&nbsp; All the while, Pinterest kept telling me about the best horror, thrillers, and suspense books popping up all over the place.&nbsp; In one last effort to <i>force</i>&nbsp;myself to read, I picked up <i>Bone and Ink</i>&nbsp;by Lisa Unger.&nbsp; Even though it took me nearly three months to finish, it really grabbed my attention while I was reading it.&nbsp; After that, I decided to give her other books a chance!&nbsp; Since this book takes place in the same town and shares a few of the same characters, it was the one I brought home.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwOegNwGwCA/UTOpyhDJQII/AAAAAAAACm8/f0uZDiRaKN4LlVMrynsoUvWPsaxornGCwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/whatsitabout.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="51" data-original-width="198" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwOegNwGwCA/UTOpyhDJQII/AAAAAAAACm8/f0uZDiRaKN4LlVMrynsoUvWPsaxornGCwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/whatsitabout.png" /></a></div><br />Charlene is a desperate, lonely girl who is struggling to find her place in the world.&nbsp; Preyed upon by her stepfather and spurned by her mother, she puts on a false front of bravado, claiming that she is going to ditch town, move to New York, and make it big in the music scene.&nbsp; Marshall Crosby is a troubled boy who happens to be caught in a vicious cycle of paternal abuse.&nbsp; Even when he is taken out of it, he willingly goes back in one last attempt to win his father's approval.&nbsp; Ricky is doing everything he can to live outside of his father's shadow—the police detective, Jones Cooper.&nbsp; Unfortunately, he is doing nothing more than driving a wedge between his parents, Jones and Maggie.&nbsp; While Maggie desperately tries to reunite father and son, something far more nefarious is happening in The Hollows.&nbsp; Everything comes to a head when Charlene disappears.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wYUO8Zqm3vs/UTOp3SPjpAI/AAAAAAAACnE/Fa5qM8byVdQBOr11C8H1dwrCtxh-Juz1QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/thoughs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="40" data-original-width="203" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wYUO8Zqm3vs/UTOp3SPjpAI/AAAAAAAACnE/Fa5qM8byVdQBOr11C8H1dwrCtxh-Juz1QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/thoughs.png" /></a></div><br /><br />Sitting in front of the blinking cursor and blank page, I find it extremely hard to find the words to explain this book.&nbsp; As I mentioned before, reading has been nothing short of arduous on the best of days.&nbsp; Something about the character driven plot of <i>Ink and Bone</i>&nbsp;was able to draw me in when other books failed.&nbsp; I felt as though Lisa Unger's unique writing style, use of words, and command of prose might be the key to demolishing this blockage.&nbsp;<br /><br />In many ways, <i>Fragile</i>&nbsp;is very similar.&nbsp; Unger takes time to artfully craft her characters and flesh out the town of The Hollows through characters' memories, small asides, and anecdotes.&nbsp; The town is turned into as much a character as Jones or Charlene.&nbsp; Even the secondary characters have more depth than you would expect because of the hinted backstories and history with the main characters.<br /><br />When Charlene—a seemingly rebellious teen—disappears, the outwardly idyllic town of The Hollows is shaken to its core as it is forced to remember the disappearance and murder of another girl several decades before.&nbsp; In an effort to right a wrong, Jones Cooper sets out on a quest to save Charlene and prove she is not merely a girl running away from a troubled home.&nbsp; As he races against the clock to save her life, long-buried secrets are brought to the surface.&nbsp; These secrets weave a web connecting&nbsp; both parents and adults.<br /><br />Looking back, I felt as though parts of this book were a bit haphazard and were possibly lost in translation.&nbsp; As an example, Tommy Delano seemed a bit random.&nbsp; I fully understood what Unger was attempting to do; however, she was a bit sloppy in the execution.&nbsp; Also, Eloise was rather out of place.&nbsp; If I had not read <i>Ink and Bone</i>&nbsp;before this, I wouldn't have been able to fully understand why she was even mentioned.&nbsp;<br /><br />The complex, interconnected backstories make this book a slow burn.&nbsp; Yet, Unger is able to show the curses&nbsp;<i>and</i>&nbsp;blessings of living in a small town.&nbsp; <i>Fragile</i>&nbsp;walks away with four stars because it was able to draw me in and keep me reading just to determine whether my predictions were correct.&nbsp; And, if I'm honest, it gave me the chance to take my mind off of the uncertainty in my own life.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><img alt="Much love, Sinn" border="0" src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sig.png" /></center><div class="feedflare">
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~4/-1t0NUVVWrk" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~3/-1t0NUVVWrk/book-review-fragile.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (sinn)0http://www.sinnfulbooks.com/2018/07/book-review-fragile.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528973813853190533.post-5705835579210662688Sat, 17 Mar 2018 21:33:00 +00002018-03-20T18:21:04.890-06:00'70s'80s'90s1 skulldystopian fictionernest clinegeeklit rpgnerdready player onesci-fivideo gamesBook Review — Ready Player One<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ot4SiDHjztY/Wq1tusVoCqI/AAAAAAAADGA/cvr9IqME_M8ye3h2sKgNA9w2Uo80LZkNgCLcBGAs/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="785" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ot4SiDHjztY/Wq1tusVoCqI/AAAAAAAADGA/cvr9IqME_M8ye3h2sKgNA9w2Uo80LZkNgCLcBGAs/s400/download.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><b>Title:</b>&nbsp; Ready Player One<br /><b>Author:</b>&nbsp; Ernest Cline<br /><b>Genre:</b>&nbsp;Lit. RPG/Sci-Fi/Dystopia<br /><b>Pages:</b>&nbsp; Paperback, 579<br /><b>Publisher:</b>&nbsp; B/D/W/Y<br /><b>ISBN:</b>&nbsp; 978-1-5247-6328-2<br /><b>Opening Lines:</b>&nbsp; "<i>Everyone my age remembers where they were and what they were doing when they first heard about the contest.</i>"<br /><br /><center><h4>Rating</h4><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sinfulbooks_rating1_small.png" /></center><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"In the year 2044, reality is an ugly placce. The only time teenage Wade Watts <i>really</i> feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Wade's devoted his life to studying puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines—puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them.<br /><br />"But when Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win—and confront the real world he's always been so desperate to escape." <br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: right;">~ Jacket copy</h4></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0gJeLMQdc4w/UTOpuGqEwSI/AAAAAAAACm0/yRhL43kIEt8TWth7vqGENyrODzLW6BCsgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/whythisbook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="47" data-original-width="302" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0gJeLMQdc4w/UTOpuGqEwSI/AAAAAAAACm0/yRhL43kIEt8TWth7vqGENyrODzLW6BCsgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/whythisbook.png" /></a></div><br />When we were still dating, my husband told me about this "great book" that pulled on our childhood and mutual love of all things geeky.&nbsp; His roommate just so happened to be reading it and <i>raved</i>&nbsp;about its epicness.&nbsp; Needless to say, we raced to pick up a copy before the movie came out.&nbsp; Yes, I am that person who <i>tries</i>&nbsp;to read the book before watching the movie.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwOegNwGwCA/UTOpyhDJQII/AAAAAAAACm8/f0uZDiRaKN4LlVMrynsoUvWPsaxornGCwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/whatsitabout.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="51" data-original-width="198" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwOegNwGwCA/UTOpyhDJQII/AAAAAAAACm8/f0uZDiRaKN4LlVMrynsoUvWPsaxornGCwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/whatsitabout.png" /></a></div><br />In the year 2044, everyone lives their meager life plugged into the OASIS.&nbsp; Business is conducted in online store fronts, children attended simulated schools, you work virtual jobs, etc.&nbsp; Provided you have enough money, you never have to leave your trusted haptic rig.&nbsp; However, all of that might change when the creator of the OASIS levels a challenge on his death—find the hidden Easter Egg to inherent his entire estate and controlling shares in Gregarious Simulation Systems.&nbsp; Basically, to the winner goes the OASIS.&nbsp; After years of searching, no one has been able to solve the puzzles.&nbsp; When an unlikely teenager from the stacks in Ohio manages to master the first puzzle, he pits himself against a huge mega-corporation to find the Egg.&nbsp; With only his knowledge of '70s, '80s, and '90s trivia to guide him, Wade must master all three gates in order to save the OASIS from corporate control.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wYUO8Zqm3vs/UTOp3SPjpAI/AAAAAAAACnE/Fa5qM8byVdQBOr11C8H1dwrCtxh-Juz1QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/thoughs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="40" data-original-width="203" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wYUO8Zqm3vs/UTOp3SPjpAI/AAAAAAAACnE/Fa5qM8byVdQBOr11C8H1dwrCtxh-Juz1QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/thoughs.png" /></a></div><br />As a preface to this review, I was born in the early '80s and grew up with a deep-rooted love and nostalgia for the decade.&nbsp; I have fond memories of watching <i>The Breakfast Club, Lady Hawk, Willow</i>,<i>&nbsp;Goonies</i>, and other iconic '80s movies with my brother.&nbsp; These movies colored my childhood and earliest memories.&nbsp; In fact, I remember believing that I would marry Michael J. Fox and be swept away in <i>The</i>&nbsp;DeLorean.&nbsp; I cut my gaming teeth on my grandfather's Commodore 64 and learned the fine art of platforming with the original Mario Bros.&nbsp; My parents raised us to <i>love</i>&nbsp;Star Trek, be avid readers, and embrace the things that others thought weird.&nbsp; To be blunt, I am a geek. (This is our current set-up minus the CRT and old-school consoles.)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bKy4CcLoe5c/Wq2qg2pt9CI/AAAAAAAADHM/iZ-z1_wHBrUk5cjEnCTtX8y8pGPfGDGegCLcBGAs/s1600/set%2Bup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bKy4CcLoe5c/Wq2qg2pt9CI/AAAAAAAADHM/iZ-z1_wHBrUk5cjEnCTtX8y8pGPfGDGegCLcBGAs/s320/set%2Bup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />After listening my husband's roommate praise <i>Ready Player One</i>, I was excited to delve into its uncharted depths.&nbsp; Sadly, it broke my heart.<br /><br />Where do I even start with this book?&nbsp; It is nothing more than one big cluster-fuck of trivia and "Ooo, look at me, I'm the most epic geek of all time because I know so much <i>stuff</i>!"&nbsp; Before I even address how Ernest Cline tried to single-handedly ruin my childhood, I will put on my English teacher/editor hat.<br /><br />Let me begin with the story.&nbsp; Aside from movies like <i>Tron</i>, <i>The Matrix, Gamer</i>, etc., this book has a very interesting premise.&nbsp; Using '80s trivia and geeky-awesomeness as the vehicle for the plot made me geekgasm.&nbsp; It is also interesting to note that this book seemingly gave rise to Lit. RPG as an actual genre.&nbsp; Honestly, some amazing books have come out of it.&nbsp; Unfortunately, that is where it ends . . . This book lacks originality at its core and borders on plagiarizing myriad '80s movies.&nbsp; While it can be argued that there are no more original stories, Cline takes that to another level by hijacking everyone else's ideas, bastardizing them, and dumbing them down to spoon feed them to the masses.&nbsp; This is evident in his characters.&nbsp; Cline has never met a stock character that he didn't like.&nbsp; Not only are his characters extremely one-dimensional and severely underdeveloped, Wade is no more than a badly written copy of Luke Skywalker.&nbsp; As well as being an orphan raised by his aunt, he was the only one who could go against IOI (*couch* the Empire *cough*) to save the OASIS.&nbsp; And, let me not forget, Wade—like Ernest himself—is the G.O.A.T.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XmiH0sl_DFE/Wq188daYcLI/AAAAAAAADGQ/2RSb6I1o-mQkBA3o-TlPc6utv4cS0rpRgCLcBGAs/s1600/i-am-goat-greatest-of-all-time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="219" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XmiH0sl_DFE/Wq188daYcLI/AAAAAAAADGQ/2RSb6I1o-mQkBA3o-TlPc6utv4cS0rpRgCLcBGAs/s1600/i-am-goat-greatest-of-all-time.jpg" /></a></div><br />At no point can he fail.&nbsp; Even if he does not have the skills or necessary knowledge, Wade <i>always</i>&nbsp;has to succeed.<br /><br />In addition to the stock characters, the whole story of Halliday and Morrow was a two-bit copy of the formation of modern day computers.&nbsp; In fact, Halliday and Morrow mirror Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak.&nbsp; It was easy to figure out how the relationship would play out if you watched <i>Pirates of Silicon Valley</i>&nbsp;or know anything about that dynamic.<br /><br />Moving on, Ernest either needs to invest in a good editor or fire the one he has.&nbsp; The glaring inconsistencies in this book were outrageous.&nbsp; For example, on page 161, Wade approaches the replica of Halliday's childhood home and notes, "Two late-'70s Ford sedans were parked in the driveway, one of them up on cider blocks."&nbsp; However, as Wade makes his great escape from the house after cleared the first gate, he grabs "The keys to the Halliday family car were on the pegboard next to the refrigerator.&nbsp; I grabbed them and rushed outside. The car (the one that wasn't up on the blocks) was a 1982 Ford Thunderbird." (p. 178). Um, a 1982 Ford Thunderbird is a not a late-'70s sedan.&nbsp; To add insult to injury, the continual run-on sentences, fragments, and incorrect grammatical structure for a list series nearly made my eyes cross.&nbsp; I am almost too terrified to ask what the original, unedited manuscript looked like.<br /><br /><i>Ready Player One</i>&nbsp;is chock-full of frivolous details.&nbsp; If the book was distilled down to the story, it would probably cap out around 100-200 pages.&nbsp; Instead, Cline spends the majority of the book inundating the audience with pointless movie references, incorrect geeky trivia, and <i>pages</i> of<i>&nbsp;detailed</i>&nbsp;explanations of why Wade is the G.O.A.T.&nbsp; Cline relies too heavily on several bad plot devices such as the dreaded&nbsp;<i>deus ex machina, </i>hidden knowledge, and the Mary Sue.&nbsp; All of these elements are characteristics of immature writers. Unfortunately, these elements work together to create a book that is nothing more than a name-dropping info dump and testament to Cline's belief in his own "geek prowess".<br /><br />The lengths to which Cline goes to incorporate all geekdom from the past several decades is laughable.&nbsp; In his attempt to show his godlike knowledge of all things geeky, Cline—surprisingly—got many things wrong.&nbsp; First of all, a Bag of Holding is a pocket dimension that is larger on the inside than the outside.&nbsp; It does not get heavier as you put more objects into it.&nbsp; Therefore, I am unsure why Wade could no longer fill the bag with gold or loot as he worked through the dungeon.&nbsp; Second, he cannot study the map of the dungeon to know where every single monster is located.&nbsp; In many of those old D&amp;D books, wandering monsters were common and could not be predicted.&nbsp; Aside from the bosses and larger battles, it was a roll of the dice and up to the DM to decide what players would encounter.&nbsp; I don't even want to address what he did to the DeLorean or the Serenity . . . It made me weep and my husband homicidal.&nbsp; (Ernest Cline, if you are reading this, you do <i>not</i>&nbsp;deserve to have your picture taken in front of the DeLorean nor do you deserve to be lauded at ComicCon.&nbsp; Can the shit, you're not a geek or a nerd!)<br /><br />Cline's desire to create the magnum opus of geekdom did nothing more than alienate true geeks and nerds by bastardizing what they love the most.<br /><br />Even though I do <i>not</i>&nbsp;condone book burning, here is our final opinion of the book:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xd1yRvOhAMI/Wq2IvZskFjI/AAAAAAAADGg/GxXLjy8H89M0ftOBXDOBGVy8PiYdLFAPgCLcBGAs/s1600/1521317369985_0130227321_157f1823_v1.jpg%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xd1yRvOhAMI/Wq2IvZskFjI/AAAAAAAADGg/GxXLjy8H89M0ftOBXDOBGVy8PiYdLFAPgCLcBGAs/s320/1521317369985_0130227321_157f1823_v1.jpg%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>&nbsp; &nbsp; <br />&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br /><center><img alt="Much love, Sinn" border="0" src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sig.png" /></center><div class="feedflare">
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~4/A6V8adDPFrQ" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~3/A6V8adDPFrQ/book-review-ready-player-one.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (sinn)0http://www.sinnfulbooks.com/2018/03/book-review-ready-player-one.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528973813853190533.post-8873932898835642355Fri, 22 Sep 2017 12:35:00 +00002017-09-22T06:40:53.415-06:002 skullsamy lukavicshaunted housethe women in the wallsya horrorBook Review — The Women in the Walls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZDJl8waz2E/WcT5yLhP61I/AAAAAAAADFg/Otev2E9H5HkG8P56GoTx3z1ddSqp401KgCLcBGAs/s1600/women%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bwalls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1058" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZDJl8waz2E/WcT5yLhP61I/AAAAAAAADFg/Otev2E9H5HkG8P56GoTx3z1ddSqp401KgCLcBGAs/s400/women%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bwalls.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Title:</b>&nbsp; The Women in the Walls</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Author:</b>&nbsp; Amy Lukavics</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Genre:</b>&nbsp; YA horror</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Pages:</b>&nbsp; Hardback, 278</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Publisher:</b>&nbsp; Harlequin Teen</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>ISBN:</b>&nbsp; 978-0-373-21194-4</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Opening Lines:</b>&nbsp; "<i>Walter the cook killed himself in his little bedroom downstairs, just a few hours after saying good-night.</i>"<br /><center><h4>Rating</h4><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sinfulbooks_rating2_small.png" /></center><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"Lucy Acosta's mother died when she was three.<br /><br />"Growing up in a Victorian mansion in the middle of the woods with her cold, distant father, she explored the dark hallways of the estate with her cousin, Margaret. They're inseparable—a family.<br /><br />"When her aunt Penelope, the only mother she's ever known, tragically disappears while walking in the woods surrounding their estate, Lucy finds herself devastated and alone. Margaret has been spending a lot of time in the attic. She claims she can hear her dead mother's voice whispering from the walls. Emotionally shut out by her father, Lucy watches helplessly as her cousin's sanity slowly unravels. But when she beings hearing voices herself, Lucy finds herself confronting an ancient and deadly legacy in her family for generations." <br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: right;">~ Jacket copy</h4></blockquote><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0gJeLMQdc4w/UTOpuGqEwSI/AAAAAAAACm0/yRhL43kIEt8TWth7vqGENyrODzLW6BCsgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/whythisbook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="47" data-original-width="302" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0gJeLMQdc4w/UTOpuGqEwSI/AAAAAAAACm0/yRhL43kIEt8TWth7vqGENyrODzLW6BCsgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/whythisbook.png" /></a></div><br />After reading <i>Daughters Unto Devils</i>, I desperately wanted to get my hands on Lukavics next book. &nbsp;While there were unanswered questions in her first novel, it managed to leave a chill in my bones and kept my light on for many nights following. &nbsp;The concept of this book sounded interesting, and it reminded me of myriad ghost stories I heard growing up. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwOegNwGwCA/UTOpyhDJQII/AAAAAAAACm8/f0uZDiRaKN4LlVMrynsoUvWPsaxornGCwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/whatsitabout.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="51" data-original-width="198" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwOegNwGwCA/UTOpyhDJQII/AAAAAAAACm8/f0uZDiRaKN4LlVMrynsoUvWPsaxornGCwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/whatsitabout.png" /></a></div><br />Lucy Acosta has always grown up with the image of what an Acosta is: "An Acosta must never lack control. &nbsp;She must keep her back straight, and her clothes ironed, and her expression placid. &nbsp;She must refuse to be seen unless her hair and makeup have been set . . ." (277). &nbsp;Even though she has always strove to follow her aunt's impeccable example, her composure beings to slip when her aunt disappears and her cousin begins a fast decent into madness. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wYUO8Zqm3vs/UTOp3SPjpAI/AAAAAAAACnE/Fa5qM8byVdQBOr11C8H1dwrCtxh-Juz1QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/thoughs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="40" data-original-width="203" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wYUO8Zqm3vs/UTOp3SPjpAI/AAAAAAAACnE/Fa5qM8byVdQBOr11C8H1dwrCtxh-Juz1QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/thoughs.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Where do I even begin? &nbsp;I had high hopes for this book. &nbsp;The beginning grabs the reader's attention and draws them in with promises of mystery and a sinister story. &nbsp;However, as the book progress, everything falls apart and fails to deliver. &nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In some ways, the story was anti-climactic. &nbsp;The book built and built and built without a true resolution. &nbsp;Further, many of the details were undeveloped and felt haphazardly thrown into the story. &nbsp;For example, not only was Lucy's cutting predicable, it felt as though it was included merely because it seemed <i>right</i>. &nbsp;Maybe the author felt it added depth to the character, but . . . It felt like a failed attempt. &nbsp;In addition, most of the supporting characters left me with the impression that they were nothing more than an afterthought that provided filler. &nbsp;The isolation might have been a plot device, however, Lucy barely had any interaction with them. &nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Looking at Lucy for a moment, she mentions that she just knows her aunt could never be a killer (p. 214) and—after systematic emotional abuse—deep down, she knows her father cares (p. 219). &nbsp;I found this to be quite problematic. &nbsp;Not only is her father's care completely outside of the character we've seen up to this point, Lucy spends too much time inner-focused up to this point, the bold statements—while too vague—belie everything the audience is shown and hints at some watchfulness on her part. While that may be completely within the realm of possibility, why were we not shown this side of her before? &nbsp;For the most part, Lucy only sees her father through a specific Margaret-filtered lens. &nbsp;These comments felt as though they were the author's way of trying to rectify our previous views of characters like her father or as a failed lead in to something more sinister. &nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Furthermore, Margaret is a far more compelling character. &nbsp;While abrasive, she had a vibrancy that Lucy lacks. &nbsp;It was hinted that the girls were no longer in the school system because of Margaret and possible fights. &nbsp;That is seen in her treatment of Vanessa. &nbsp;At some level, I wish the author had switched the characters. &nbsp;Lucy lives too much in her head, spends her time being pulled every which way by Margaret, and agonizes over whether she should cut herself. &nbsp;Further, her behavior toward her father is incongruous with her response to Margaret and everyone else (mousy vs. bitch).&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The beginning of the book was quite engaging, yet it quickly dwindled and died completely. &nbsp;The ending left me with more questions than it sought to answer. &nbsp;Why was Lucy's mother given the estate? &nbsp;Why was her father so distant? &nbsp;How much did he know about the Mother? &nbsp;Who is the Mother? &nbsp;Why did the women choose an Acosta as the caretaker of the estate? &nbsp;What fully happened to Penelope when she was gone? &nbsp;Who was/is Clara? &nbsp;Aside from bringing in more acolytes, what is the roll of the Daughter? &nbsp;Etc., etc., etc.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There were some good parts to the story and the imagery was amazing. &nbsp;Sadly, however, this book failed to delivery on all counts. &nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><center></center><center><img alt="Much love, Sinn" border="0" src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sig.png" /></center></center><div class="feedflare">
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~4/MFir0dVdkKk" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~3/MFir0dVdkKk/book-review-women-in-walls.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (sinn)0http://www.sinnfulbooks.com/2017/09/book-review-women-in-walls.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528973813853190533.post-7594876277657394444Thu, 14 Sep 2017 03:05:00 +00002017-09-13T21:07:46.529-06:002 skullshaunted asylumhorrorkatie alenderpinterestthe dead girls of hysteria hallYAya horrorBook Review — The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RNHezN0Nldw/Wbnqx9e0anI/AAAAAAAADFQ/yLDibU0Js_IG65cnxOJ72vCtNdH9bysCQCLcBGAs/s1600/dead%2Bgirls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RNHezN0Nldw/Wbnqx9e0anI/AAAAAAAADFQ/yLDibU0Js_IG65cnxOJ72vCtNdH9bysCQCLcBGAs/s400/dead%2Bgirls.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><b>Title:</b>&nbsp; The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall<br /><b>Author:</b>&nbsp; Katie Alender<br /><b>Genre:</b>&nbsp; YA horror<br /><b>Pages:</b>&nbsp; Hardback, 329<br /><b>Publisher: &nbsp;</b>Scholastic Inc.<br /><b>ISBN:</b>&nbsp; 978-0-545-63999-6<br /><b>Opening Lines:</b>&nbsp; "<i>Every fairy tale starts the same: Once upon a time. &nbsp;Maybe that's why we love them so much.</i>"<br /><center><h4>Rating</h4><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sinfulbooks_rating2_small.png" /></center><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"Delia's new house isn't just a house. Long ago, it was the Piven Institute for the Care and Correction of Troubled Females—an insane asylum nicknamed "Hysteria Hall." However, many of hte inmates were not insane, just defiant and strong willed. Kind of like Delia herself.<br /><br />"But the house <i>still</i> wants to keep 'troubled' girls locked away. So, in the most horrifying way, Delia gets trapped.<br /><br />"And that's when she learns that the house is also haunted.<br /><br />"Ghost girls wander the halls in their old-fashioned nightgowns. A handsome ghost boy named Theo roams the grounds. Delia finds that all the spirits are unsettled and full of dark secrets. The house, as well, harbors shocking truths within its walls—truths that only Delia can uncover, and that may set her free.<br /><br />"But she'll need to act quickly, before the house's power overtakes everything she loves." <br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: right;">~ Jacket copy</h4></blockquote><center style="text-align: left;"><br /><br />Lately, I have been scouring Pinterest for the latest and best horror novel. &nbsp;For some reason, there has been a bug up my rear end as it pertains to horror and the quest to find the best. &nbsp;Several of the pins I found suggested this book was up there. &nbsp;The mention of a haunted asylum had me quivering with excitement! &nbsp;Sadly, this book was another in my growing list of duds. &nbsp;</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">To be honest, I do not want to spend much time discussing this book. &nbsp;It was not horror nor was any aspect scary. &nbsp;There were many elements that could have been extended or explained, which would have made it an excellent read. &nbsp;Unfortunately, for whatever reason, the author chose not to follow them. &nbsp;</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">Following the cliched format of a haunted asylum story, the book ended up a predictable snooze-fest. &nbsp;The characters were one-dimensional and showed zero originality. &nbsp;Once finishing the book, I felt unfulfilled due to the unanswered questions. &nbsp;</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">If you're interested in a tired, kiss-your-brain-good-bye read, this is for you. &nbsp;It doesn't require too much thought and can easily be read in a few sittings. &nbsp;It provided some nice respite from the endless textbooks, so it ended up squeaking by with two stars. &nbsp;</center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center></center><center><img alt="Much love, Sinn" border="0" src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sig.png" /></center><div class="feedflare">
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~4/4QDkScbC0fw" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~3/4QDkScbC0fw/book-review-dead-girls-of-hysteria-hall.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (sinn)2http://www.sinnfulbooks.com/2017/09/book-review-dead-girls-of-hysteria-hall.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528973813853190533.post-5275357215064579582Sat, 02 Sep 2017 18:46:00 +00002017-09-02T12:46:15.315-06:001 skulla court of mist and furyfaenew adultretellingsarah j maasBook Review — A Court of Mist and Fury<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uWILJkCQcDI/WarsHpt3AcI/AAAAAAAADFA/r4XO6XvVNlk7tyY-icWnwwt0oa7pySKbACLcBGAs/s1600/mist%2Band%2Bfury.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="674" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uWILJkCQcDI/WarsHpt3AcI/AAAAAAAADFA/r4XO6XvVNlk7tyY-icWnwwt0oa7pySKbACLcBGAs/s400/mist%2Band%2Bfury.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Title:</b>&nbsp; A Court of Mist and Fury</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Author:</b>&nbsp; Sarah J. Maas</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Genre:</b>&nbsp; New Adult, retelling</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Pages:</b>&nbsp; Hardback, 624</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Publisher:</b>&nbsp; Bloomsbury</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>ISBN:</b>&nbsp; 978-1-61963-446-6</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Opening Lines:</b>&nbsp; "<i>Maybe I'd always been broken and dark inside. &nbsp;Maybe someone who'd been born whole and good would have put down the ash dagger and embraced death rather than what lay before me.</i>"</center><center><h4>Rating</h4><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sinfulbooks_rating1_small.png" /></center><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Sprint Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart Book Reviewremains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.<br /><br />"Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, HIgh Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be the key to stopping it. BUt only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of the world torn apart."<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: right;">~ Jacket copy</h4></blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0gJeLMQdc4w/UTOpuGqEwSI/AAAAAAAACm0/yRhL43kIEt8TWth7vqGENyrODzLW6BCsgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/whythisbook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="47" data-original-width="302" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0gJeLMQdc4w/UTOpuGqEwSI/AAAAAAAACm0/yRhL43kIEt8TWth7vqGENyrODzLW6BCsgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/whythisbook.png" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;After the conclusion of <i>A Court of Thorns and Roses</i>, I wanted to see if my suppositions were correct. &nbsp;Thankfully, my local library had a copy, which meant I was not forced to buy this trite, cliched drivel. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwOegNwGwCA/UTOpyhDJQII/AAAAAAAACm8/f0uZDiRaKN4LlVMrynsoUvWPsaxornGCwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/whatsitabout.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="51" data-original-width="198" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwOegNwGwCA/UTOpyhDJQII/AAAAAAAACm8/f0uZDiRaKN4LlVMrynsoUvWPsaxornGCwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/whatsitabout.png" /></a></div><br />Sadly, this book is easily summed up: boy—in an extremely predictable manner—drives girl away, girl runs to new boy, figures stuff out, falls in love with new boy, and is the key to saving the known world. &nbsp;Oh, yes, there are some over-the-top, poorly written sex scenes that nearly plagiarize every other sex scene that has come before it in romance and erotica alike. &nbsp;Basically, there was nothing original. <br />&nbsp;<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wYUO8Zqm3vs/UTOp3SPjpAI/AAAAAAAACnE/Fa5qM8byVdQBOr11C8H1dwrCtxh-Juz1QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/thoughs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="40" data-original-width="203" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wYUO8Zqm3vs/UTOp3SPjpAI/AAAAAAAACnE/Fa5qM8byVdQBOr11C8H1dwrCtxh-Juz1QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/thoughs.png" /></a></div><br />Before I even attempt to review this book, please do not bother reading it if you don't want spoilers. &nbsp;It is hard to address the epic failure of <i>A Court of Mist and Fury</i>&nbsp;without looking at the book as a whole. <br /><br />First, I want to address the very disgusting language running throughout the book. &nbsp;At many points, Feyre, as well as others, make the comment that her human heart cannot come to grips with the atrocities she was forced to commit Under the Mountain. &nbsp;They claim this is why she can never heal, why she is plagued with nightmares, and, basically, why she is "damaged". &nbsp;<b>BULLSHIT!</b>&nbsp; Human heart or no, at no point could anyone deal with that torture—both physical, emotional, and mental—without breaking. &nbsp;(Well, I suppose, if you're a sociopath, you might be perfectly okay.) &nbsp;The fact that she mourns the deaths makes her <b>NORMAL</b>. &nbsp;In addition, continually calling her "damaged" feels quite abusive and manipulative. &nbsp;Her lack of self-esteem in this book is shocking! &nbsp;At no point did any of the characters attempt to correct the issue. <br /><br />Tamlin is not suffering from PTSD after his experiences Under the Mountain. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;His character completely changes from one book to the next. &nbsp;Based upon the fact that he could so callously murder Rhys' mother and sister in cold blood, he must be a sociopath after his performance in the first book. &nbsp;Honestly, I wish Maas had taken half a page to explain the rationale behind that one. &nbsp;Additionally, if she had wanted Feyre to end up with Rhys, wonderful! &nbsp;However, you do not need to turn Tamlin into a raging, controlling, <b>ABUSIVE</b>&nbsp;asshole. &nbsp;Sometimes people just fall out of love. &nbsp;Given the circumstances, it makes sense that Tamlin might feel threatened after Feyre saved all of Prythia. &nbsp;Further, after needing to feel someone protect her, finding that Tamlin was unwilling (or could not) to do so, Feyre might seek to find it elsewhere. &nbsp;There are any number of reasons why their love was doomed. &nbsp;Maas did not need to be over dramatic (hmm, much like teenage girl drama) in their breakup. &nbsp;I absolutely despise when authors decide to turn much-loved characters into raging assholes (*cough, cough* Laurel K. Hamilton *cough, cough*) as their pseudo Deus Ex Machina. &nbsp;After reading the first book, the audience had to know that it was a foregone conclusion that Feyre would end up leaving Tamlin for Rhys; however, try to be an adult about how you handle it. <br /><br />The minor characters in this book could have been interesting. &nbsp;Unlike the first book with Lucien, Maas didn't spend anytime fleshing them out and they <i>all</i>&nbsp;had traumatic backstories. &nbsp;When every single character has a traumatic backstory, the audience ceases to care about them. &nbsp;Ugh, Feyre was starving, Tamlin's family was killed (rightfully), Lucien was abused and nearly killed by his brothers, Rhys was a half-blood and despised for it, Mor was beaten and left for dead, blah, blah, blah! &nbsp;It is the author's job to craft a sympathetic character and garner a connection with the audience, yet using this tragic backstory over and over and over again is a sign of an immature author. &nbsp;Sometimes I am most drawn to the characters who are just real people trying to deal with real circumstances. &nbsp;I don't need my heartstrings pulled with every character. <br /><br />Speaking of characterizations, Rhys moved from extremely interesting in the first book to flat and one dimensional. &nbsp;Thank you, Maas, for showing that you know what a Byronic Hero is, and I am extremely upset that he lacked the dimensions of greater Byronic Heroes like Mr. Darcy. &nbsp;It was nice to see that Rhys had a backstory and treated Feyre better, yet one has to wonder whether he is truly better than Tamlin. &nbsp;His explosive anger toward Mor's father, as well as his response after the mating hints at repressed issues. &nbsp;Also, what happened to Feyre? &nbsp;In the first book, she was a kick-ass-take-no-prisoners-tough-as-nails heroine! &nbsp;Yes, she is dealing with harrowing stuff; however, she never fully bounces back, sulks in corners, and pulls the "woe is me" card. &nbsp;I wanted to slap her!<br /><br />Half way through the novel, Maas developed a keen interest in "indeed". &nbsp;It made me wonder what happened to her editor. &nbsp;Close to 95% of the times it was used, it should have been removed. &nbsp;It changed the entire meaning of the sentences or had not relevance whatsoever. &nbsp;And if that isn't bad enough, she similarly gained an odd fascination with "barked". &nbsp;"He barked my name", "my muscles barked after training", "I approached the dais, my knees barking" . . . Seriously, what in the world does that mean?<br /><br />Since editing was mentioned . . . Why was half of this book not chopped? &nbsp;I am almost terrified to see the length of a pre-edited version *shudder* &nbsp;This book is 624 pages, and it could have easily been hacked down to less than half of that. &nbsp;The majority of the book revolves around cliched dramas and episodes of "does he love me, does he not", crises of character, and so on. &nbsp;The real plot of the book is probably less than 300 pages.<br /><br />I'm not even going to address the ludicrous, corny sex scenes. &nbsp;Heh, that might take a whole review in and of itself. &nbsp;Let's say that <i>50 Shades of Gray</i>&nbsp;was better. &nbsp;Not by much, mind you, but it was better. <br /><br />So, what did I like about this book? &nbsp;Honestly, Amren was an amazing character! &nbsp;I am beyond thrilled that Maas didn't flesh her out and allowed her to be shrouded in some sort of mystery. &nbsp;My imagination has run wild with theories about her, how she came to Phrythia, etc. &nbsp;She was a rare gem and an excellent success. &nbsp;Unfortunately, I am terrified to see how Maas will destroy her the way she did Rhys and Lucien. <br /><br />To put it bluntly, this book was banal, vapid, and unimaginative. &nbsp;For a 600+ page book, I expected better, especially after loving the first book. &nbsp;It would have been nice to see the old Feyre start to emerge and show older teenage girls that they are strong enough to overcome horrible adversity. &nbsp;Regrettably, she decided that the cliches were easier to write. &nbsp;<br /><br /><br /><br /><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center></center><center><img alt="Much love, Sinn" border="0" src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sig.png" /></center><div class="feedflare">
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~4/9wRB7_TyM8k" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~3/9wRB7_TyM8k/book-review-court-of-mist-and-fury.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (sinn)0http://www.sinnfulbooks.com/2017/09/book-review-court-of-mist-and-fury.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528973813853190533.post-7197423282993294049Thu, 03 Aug 2017 05:12:00 +00002017-08-02T23:12:31.711-06:005 skullsbird boxhorrorjosh malermankindlepost-apocalypticsightthrillerBook Review — Bird Box<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qjlLkUvRMl4/WYKj5oYiPSI/AAAAAAAADEs/OcUvPBLSMS0rgY7M3QZm7nfA4uY4QP4jwCLcBGAs/s1600/bird_box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="373" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qjlLkUvRMl4/WYKj5oYiPSI/AAAAAAAADEs/OcUvPBLSMS0rgY7M3QZm7nfA4uY4QP4jwCLcBGAs/s400/bird_box.jpg" width="263" /></a><b>Title:</b>&nbsp; Bird Box<br /><b>Author: </b>&nbsp;Josh Malerman<br /><b>Genre:</b>&nbsp; Horror, thriller, post-apocalyptic<br /><b>Pages:</b>&nbsp; Kindle, 211<br /><b>Publisher: &nbsp;</b>Harper Voyage<br /><b>ISBN:</b>&nbsp;978-0-06-225965-3<br /><b>Opening Lines:</b>&nbsp; <i>"Malorie stands in the kitchen thinking. &nbsp;Her hands are damp. &nbsp;She is trembling. &nbsp;She taps her toe nervously on the cracked tile floor."</i><br /><center><h4>Rating</h4><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sinfulbooks_rating5_small.png" /></center><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"Something is out there . . . <br /><br />"Something terrifying that must not be seen. One glimpse and a person is driven to deadly violence. No one knows what it is or where it came from.<br /><br />"Five years after it began, a handful of scattered survivors remain, including Malorie and her two young children. Living in an abandoned house near the river, she has dreamed of fleeing to a place where they might be safe. Now, that the boy and girl are four, it is time to go. But the journey ahead will be terrifying: twenty miles downriver in a rowboat—blindfolded—with nothing to rely on but her wits and the children’s trained ears. One wrong choice and they will die. And something is following them. But is it man, animal, or monster?<br /><br />"Engulfed in darkness, surrounded by sounds both familiar and frightening, Malorie embarks on a harrowing odyssey—a trip that takes her into an unseen world and back into the past, to the companions who once saved her. Under the guidance of the stalwart Tom, a motely group of strangers banded together against the unseen terror, creating order from the chaos. But when supplies ran low, they were forced to venture outside—and confront the ultimate question: in a world gone mad, who can really be trusted?<br /><br />"Interweaving past and present, Josh Malerman’s breathtaking debut is a horrific and gripping snapshot of a world unraveled that will have you racing to the final page."<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: right;">~ Jacket copy</h4></blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0gJeLMQdc4w/UTOpuGqEwSI/AAAAAAAACm0/yRhL43kIEt8TWth7vqGENyrODzLW6BCsgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/whythisbook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="47" data-original-width="302" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0gJeLMQdc4w/UTOpuGqEwSI/AAAAAAAACm0/yRhL43kIEt8TWth7vqGENyrODzLW6BCsgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/whythisbook.png" /></a></div><br />Lately, it has been hard to find a book that will fully catch my attention. &nbsp;Whether it was due to the combination of classes and work or something else, it has been an issue for several months. &nbsp;In an endeavor to correct the problem, I spend hours scouring Pinterest for new bool suggestions. &nbsp;Many of the pins I looked at dealt with horror. &nbsp;Usually, I save the horror for the fall, colder weather, and longer nights; however, it has been ever-present in my mind lately. &nbsp;On all of the pins, this book kept coming up over and over and over again. &nbsp;I decided to give it a chance. &nbsp;Luckily, my local library had it available as an electronic rental! <br /><br />(Yes, yes, as many of you will remember, I vowed never to become a Kindle user. &nbsp;However, my wonderful Viking gifted me with a Kindle a few months ago. &nbsp;Knowing that my textbooks would be approximately $50 cheaper in electronic format, he found a wonderful Kindle Fire . . . <i>USED</i>! &nbsp;Since then, I have decided to embrace the idea of ebooks a bit more . . . )<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwOegNwGwCA/UTOpyhDJQII/AAAAAAAACm8/f0uZDiRaKN4LlVMrynsoUvWPsaxornGCwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/whatsitabout.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="51" data-original-width="198" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwOegNwGwCA/UTOpyhDJQII/AAAAAAAACm8/f0uZDiRaKN4LlVMrynsoUvWPsaxornGCwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/whatsitabout.png" /></a></div><br />This book is extremely hard to describe without giving it away completely. &nbsp;As suggested by the jacket copy, this book is a post-apocalyptic horror/thriller. &nbsp;After strange occurrences in Russia, people are starting to seemingly go insane and kill themselves/others after seeing <i>something</i>. &nbsp;While there are many theories circulating about the nature of the <i>thing</i>, no one truly knows what or why people are losing their minds. &nbsp;They only know that people are dying and no one is safe. <br /><br />After several years living alone in a house, Malorie has decided to take matters into her own hands and try to give her children a future beyond the four walls. &nbsp;However, with sight being dangerous, she must find safety using her other senses. &nbsp;<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wYUO8Zqm3vs/UTOp3SPjpAI/AAAAAAAACnE/Fa5qM8byVdQBOr11C8H1dwrCtxh-Juz1QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/thoughs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="40" data-original-width="203" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wYUO8Zqm3vs/UTOp3SPjpAI/AAAAAAAACnE/Fa5qM8byVdQBOr11C8H1dwrCtxh-Juz1QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/thoughs.png" /></a></div><br />Close your eyes and think about walking to your mailbox blindfolded. &nbsp;Now consider preforming other mundane tasks with a blindfold over your eyes and taking away your sight. &nbsp;If you take the blindfold off and open your eyes . . . Insanity . . . Death. &nbsp;Yet, you do not know from what. <br /><br />Malorie is the mother of two four-year-old children who live in a house with covered windows, locked doors, and old blood stains on the walls and floors. &nbsp;When they leave the house to collect water from the well or empty the "shit bucket", it is all done with blindfolds covering their eyes. &nbsp;Malorie lives under the constant fear that she might see some<i>thing</i>&nbsp;that will cause her to go insane and ultimately kill herself. &nbsp;This is a fear she has been living with for approximately five years when the first people died in Russia. <br /><br />After living alone with the children for four and a half years, Malorie has decided that she is willing to risk their safety in order to find a future for her children. &nbsp;She has trained them to be acute listeners and not rely on their vision. &nbsp;With blindfolds on and strict instructions <b>not</b>&nbsp;to open their eyes, Malorie embarks on a 20 mile trip up the river to find possible salvation. &nbsp;However, the trip could prove to be harrowing, as well as life threatening. <br /><br />The story is told mostly in flashbacks with occasional jaunts to the book's present-day on the river. &nbsp;The most terrifying thing about this book is the unknown. &nbsp;Like the characters, "sight" is taken from the reader. &nbsp;Using limited third-person POV, Malerman is able to build the growing fear in the readers. &nbsp;Like the characters, the audience has no idea what the novel's antagonist truly is, what it looks like, or why it is causing people to go insane. <br /><br />There were many times throughout this novel that I found myself jumping at known noises in my house. &nbsp;The novel was able to bring back the idea that, if I just closed by eyes, I would be safe. &nbsp;It was engaging a played on the fear of the unknown, as well as adding an element of human nature/survival. <br /><br />This was an excellent story and a rather unique idea. <br /><br /><br /><center><img alt="Much love, Sinn" border="0" src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sig.png" /></center><div class="feedflare">
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~4/r94cUzh0oHc" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~3/r94cUzh0oHc/book-review-bird-box.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (sinn)0http://www.sinnfulbooks.com/2017/08/book-review-bird-box.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528973813853190533.post-251099765233309539Sat, 01 Jul 2017 02:36:00 +00002017-06-30T20:37:21.766-06:002 skullsally condiebook reviewcrosseddystopian fictionmatched seriesYA dystopiaYA fictionBook Review — Crossed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QGdKJcZSp-E/WVcDGA2cfrI/AAAAAAAADEU/oUuzym-eSAI357d7h-n0BXOr9jHXejghwCLcBGAs/s1600/crossed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1411" data-original-width="892" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QGdKJcZSp-E/WVcDGA2cfrI/AAAAAAAADEU/oUuzym-eSAI357d7h-n0BXOr9jHXejghwCLcBGAs/s400/crossed.jpg" width="252" /></a></div><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Title:</b>&nbsp; Crossed</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Author:</b>&nbsp; Ally Condie</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Genre:</b>&nbsp; YA Dystopia</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Pages:</b>&nbsp; Hardback, 367</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Publisher</b>: &nbsp;Penguin Group</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>ISBN:</b>&nbsp; 978-0-525-42365-2</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Opening Lines:</b>&nbsp; <i>"I'm standing in a river. &nbsp;It's blue. &nbsp;Dark blue. &nbsp;Reflecting the color of the evening sky."</i></center><center></center><center><h4>Rating</h4><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sinfulbooks_rating2_small.png" /></center><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"Chasing down an uncertain future, Cassia makes her way to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky—taken by the Society to his sure death—only to find that he has escaped into the majestic, but treacherous, canyons. On this wild frontier are glimmers of a different life and the enthralling promise of rebellion. But even as Cassia sacrifices everything to reunite with Ky, ingenious surprises from Xander may change the game once again.<br /><br />"Narrated from both Cassia's and Ky's points of view, this hotly anticipated sequel to <i>Matched</i> will take them both to the edge of Society, where nothing is as expected and crosses and double crosses make their path more twisted than ever."<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: right;">~ Jacket copy</h4></blockquote><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V_AnExGuoB8/UVDIWu1AmKI/AAAAAAAACtU/VE5b1AxoFcAWS8MxycPc55izrfmGuLd0ACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/whythisbook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="47" data-original-width="302" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V_AnExGuoB8/UVDIWu1AmKI/AAAAAAAACtU/VE5b1AxoFcAWS8MxycPc55izrfmGuLd0ACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/whythisbook.png" /></a></div><br /><i>Matched</i>&nbsp;has been sitting on the shelf in the classroom staring at me for quite some time. &nbsp;It didn't help that the school librarian kept suggesting it. &nbsp;However, it was a book I had already read and didn't remember particularly enjoying. &nbsp;(A look back at my previous <a href="http://www.sinnfulbooks.com/2011/04/book-review-matched.html">post</a>&nbsp;shows that I was correct). &nbsp;Despite my better judgment—while packing up endless boxes of books for my head teacher—I decided to give <i>Matched</i>&nbsp;another chance and then get further into the series. &nbsp;It didn't help that <i>Reached</i>&nbsp;was on the book shelf in my mentor teacher's classroom. &nbsp;It appeared as though I was . . . <i style="font-weight: bold;">doomed</i>!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e-62hUiZP20/UVDIVHOxgzI/AAAAAAAACtM/d5WS-5w2-7ckfrp9dZJJbzivob-hKUdyQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/whatsitabout.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="51" data-original-width="198" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e-62hUiZP20/UVDIVHOxgzI/AAAAAAAACtM/d5WS-5w2-7ckfrp9dZJJbzivob-hKUdyQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/whatsitabout.png" /></a></div><br />At the conclusion of <i>Matched</i>, the readers see Ky sent to the Outer Provinces and Cassia on a train with her family as their being relocated for her mother's new job assignment—or so they've been told. &nbsp;When <i>Crossed</i>&nbsp;starts, Ky is serving in what looks like the military and Cassia is in a work camp. &nbsp;Through these limitations and no idea where the other is at, Cassia sets off on a trek to find Ky as he is trying to escape from certain death.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KuB5SCKXfgE/UVDIYQSno-I/AAAAAAAACtc/oBacGUlXxjQu3KcAKAnDHDWf_oDC6WU1gCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/thoughs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="40" data-original-width="203" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KuB5SCKXfgE/UVDIYQSno-I/AAAAAAAACtc/oBacGUlXxjQu3KcAKAnDHDWf_oDC6WU1gCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/thoughs.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To be honest, the second time around, I actually enjoyed <i>Matched</i>&nbsp;more than I did the first time. &nbsp;It might have been for the escapist value. &nbsp;That being said, I cannot say the same for the second book. &nbsp;The concept of the split narration gives an interesting spin on books and allows the reader a peak into the minds and rationale of the other main characters; however, it has been overdone. &nbsp;In addition, it needs to be done well. &nbsp;Granted, Ky had all the potential of being an interesting character in the first book, but narrating the story from his side did not add any depth. &nbsp;Condie would have been better served by not splitting the narration. &nbsp;As it stands, it detracting from the story.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Between the first and second book, something was lost. &nbsp;I did not feel the same connection to the characters in this book. &nbsp;They felt rather one dimensional and banal. &nbsp;Cassia always was a tad bit vapid, but it felt as though this book turned her into a flat archetype of a heroine. &nbsp;Not only that, there was little to no development and she fell into typical stereotypes. &nbsp;The same can be said about Indie and Eli.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The book took too long building to the climax and then the "resolution". &nbsp;Looking back at it, I wonder if there truly was a full climax in the book. &nbsp;There was the possible threat of the Society swooping down and taking them away; however, it was never really followed. &nbsp;The biggest problem they dealt with was the green pills and the chance of a flash flood. &nbsp;Not only that, the end was rushed. &nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All in all, this book was adequate as far as a sequel. &nbsp;It left a lot to be desired. &nbsp;Considering the previous book, I am not too surprised at how this one turned out. &nbsp;I'm not sure whether I will take the time to pick up the third book. &nbsp;After skipping large chunks of needless word vomit, I am happy that this was a library book. &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><center><img alt="Much love, Sinn" border="0" src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sig.png" /></center><div class="feedflare">
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~4/LjlkbpzCU3k" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~3/LjlkbpzCU3k/book-review-crossed.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (sinn)0http://www.sinnfulbooks.com/2017/06/book-review-crossed.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528973813853190533.post-7097163419875255079Sun, 02 Oct 2016 19:42:00 +00002016-10-02T13:42:05.605-06:004 skullsamy lukavicsdaughters unto devilshorrorya horrorBook Review — Daughters Unto Devils<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c_9qTlU3ROM/V_AYItP6qFI/AAAAAAAADDg/0yW4A9iMYYw_eESDG805e7kpEFTAgCOZwCLcB/s1600/daughters%2Bunto%2Bdevils.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c_9qTlU3ROM/V_AYItP6qFI/AAAAAAAADDg/0yW4A9iMYYw_eESDG805e7kpEFTAgCOZwCLcB/s400/daughters%2Bunto%2Bdevils.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><b>Title:</b>&nbsp; Daughters Unto Devils<br /><b>Author:</b>&nbsp; Amy Lukavics<br /><b>Genre:</b>&nbsp; YA Horror<br /><b>Pages:</b>&nbsp; Hardback, 231<br /><b>Publisher:</b>&nbsp; Harlequin Teen<br /><b>ISBN:</b>&nbsp; 978-0-373-21158-6<br /><b>Opening Lines:</b>&nbsp; "<i>The first time I lay with the post boy was on a Sunday, and I broke three commandments to do it.</i>"<br /><center><h4>Rating</h4><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sinfulbooks_rating4_small.png" /></center><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"When sixteen-year-old Amanda Verner's family decides to move from their small mountain cabin to the vast prairie, she hopes it is her chance for a fresh start. She can leave behind the memory of the past winter; of her sickly ma giving birth to a baby sister who cries endlessly; of the terrifying visions she saw as her sanity began to slip, the victim of cabin fever; and most of all, the memories of the boy she has been secretly meeting with as a distraction from her pain. The boy whose baby she now carries.<br /><br />"When the Verners arrive at their new home, a large cabin abandoned by its previous owners, they discover the inside covered in blood. And as the days pass, it is obvious to Amanda that something isn't right on the prairie. She's heard stories of lands being tainted by evil, of men losing their minds and killing their families, and there is something strange about the doctor and his son who live in the woods on the edge of the prairie. But with the guilt and shame of her sins weighing on her, Amanda cant's be sure if the true evil lies in the land, or deep within her soul."<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: right;">~ Jacket copy</h4></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0gJeLMQdc4w/UTOpuGqEwSI/AAAAAAAACm0/yRhL43kIEt8c53XCozYeaF7IEVObMSjiQCPcB/s1600/whythisbook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0gJeLMQdc4w/UTOpuGqEwSI/AAAAAAAACm0/yRhL43kIEt8c53XCozYeaF7IEVObMSjiQCPcB/s1600/whythisbook.png" /></a></div><br />As we near October every year, I spend weeks on <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/">Goodreads</a>, <a href="http://www.google.com/">Google</a>, and <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a> trying to find the best horror novels that have recently been released or that I've missed. &nbsp;It made me extremely ecstatic when I found a whole board devoted to new, terrifying horror novels! &nbsp;I was even more excited when I was able to find the vast majority of them at my local library or available via InterLibrary Loan! &nbsp;And this lovely gem happened to end up at the top of the pile. &nbsp;It might have had a little something to do with the cover, but . . . Well, I prefer not to judge a book by its cover . . . &nbsp; <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gwOegNwGwCA/UTOpyhDJQII/AAAAAAAACm8/f0uZDiRaKN4IzTomzk2_pqtDvO-yLKVvwCPcB/s1600/whatsitabout.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gwOegNwGwCA/UTOpyhDJQII/AAAAAAAACm8/f0uZDiRaKN4IzTomzk2_pqtDvO-yLKVvwCPcB/s1600/whatsitabout.png" /></a></div><br />The jack copy does a far better job explaining the story than I could. &nbsp;However, in an attempt to add to it, Amanda is a young girl struggling with her demons, as well as dealing with the growing tensions in her family and herself. &nbsp;And, by the end of the book, you are left wondering whether she truly did find respite from the voices in her head. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wYUO8Zqm3vs/UTOp3SPjpAI/AAAAAAAACnE/Fa5qM8byVdQxlrf-JDdV34e_YfY1kgYKwCPcB/s1600/thoughs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wYUO8Zqm3vs/UTOp3SPjpAI/AAAAAAAACnE/Fa5qM8byVdQxlrf-JDdV34e_YfY1kgYKwCPcB/s1600/thoughs.png" /></a></div><br /><br />This book was chilling. <br /><br />The story opens up with a young girl dealing with the residual shadows of cabin fever, a sister who was born deaf and blind, and possibly her place within her large family. &nbsp;As a form of escapism—and maybe a little bit of rebellion—she enters into a torrid affair with a post boy. &nbsp;What she thought was love and romance changes quickly with the discovery of pregnancy and the threat of another hard winter. &nbsp;On the heels of that revelation, Amanda's pa decides to move them out of their tiny cabin in the woods to the warm prairies full of larger cabins ripe for the picking. &nbsp;And that is when things turn sinister . . .<br /><br />When I first started reading this book, I wondered whether it was taking awhile to get going and to catch its stride; however, after taking a few days to dwell on it, I feel as though the author fully intended it as a literary mechanism. &nbsp;Throughout the beginnings of the story, the author kept dropping little details about the previous winter and what Amanda saw in the woods. &nbsp;You are told that her pa has treated her differently since then and won't even look at her the same. &nbsp;Her ma even has a wary on on her. &nbsp;Nonetheless, the author doesn't divulge that information until later. &nbsp;It was small things like this that made the overwhelming sense of dread build, and it had me feeling as though something sinister was waiting on the periphery. <br /><br />There were many times that I found myself not wanting to put it down and then being forced to leave my bedside light on. &nbsp;The author did an amazing job with the internal and external demons. &nbsp;And the book truly has stayed with me since I finished it on Thursday. <br /><br />Even given the great nature of this book, I felt that a few things were lacking and made me ask questions. &nbsp;I felt as though she didn't fully answer how Pa got the map. &nbsp;Amanda has a theory—which I think is correct—but it was left too ambiguous for me. &nbsp;In addition, she needed to flesh out the whole backstory behind Zeke and his father. &nbsp;I wanted more information about their role in the whole story, how long these issues had been going on, and even a little more about the other cabin. &nbsp;And was everything inevitable? &nbsp;Aside from the solution the doctor presented at the end, was there a way to keep all of this from happening?<br /><br />All in all, it was chilling and terrifying on many different aspects. If you're looking for a quick, good horror story, this was should definitely be on your list.<br />&nbsp;<br /><br /><center><img alt="Much love, Sinn" border="0" src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sig.png" /></center><div class="feedflare">
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~4/6QONE_quhb8" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~3/6QONE_quhb8/book-review-daughters-unto-devils.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (sinn)0http://www.sinnfulbooks.com/2016/10/book-review-daughters-unto-devils.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528973813853190533.post-8649600023155592889Mon, 26 Sep 2016 00:24:00 +00002016-09-25T18:29:16.324-06:003 skullsa court of thorns and rosesbeauty and the beastfaefaeriesnew adultretellingsarah j maasYA fantasyBook Review — A Court of Thorns and Roses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vabA_O5TfFc/V-hjHQ3EL4I/AAAAAAAADDQ/L8XiYhN5gIEBv0J4ix5eEFa4rzj1tJBFQCLcB/s1600/a%2Bcourt%2Bof%2Bthorn%2Band%2Broses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vabA_O5TfFc/V-hjHQ3EL4I/AAAAAAAADDQ/L8XiYhN5gIEBv0J4ix5eEFa4rzj1tJBFQCLcB/s400/a%2Bcourt%2Bof%2Bthorn%2Band%2Broses.jpg" width="257" /></a></div><b>Title:</b>&nbsp; A Court of Thorns and Roses<br /><b>Author:</b>&nbsp; Sarah J. Maas<br /><b>Genre:</b>&nbsp; YA/New Adult Fantasy, retelling<br /><b>Pages:</b>&nbsp; Hardback, 416<br /><b>Publisher:</b>&nbsp; Bloomsbury USA Childrens<br /><b>ISBN:</b>&nbsp; 978-1-61963-444-2<br /><b>Opening Lines:</b>&nbsp; <i>"The forest had become a&nbsp;labyrinth&nbsp;of snow and ice."</i><br /><center><h4>Rating</h4><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sinfulbooks_rating3_small.png" /></center><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a breast-like creature arrives to demand retribution. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she knows about only from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once rule their world. <br /><br />"As Feyre dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility to a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow over the faerie lands is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever . . . " <br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: right;">~ Jacket copy</h4></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hk9JgbjQh5A/UUAKRB4vRSI/AAAAAAAACqI/9IyKbgdAUX8XSxL3fR6r37B_l0DBspmTwCPcB/s1600/whythisbook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hk9JgbjQh5A/UUAKRB4vRSI/AAAAAAAACqI/9IyKbgdAUX8XSxL3fR6r37B_l0DBspmTwCPcB/s1600/whythisbook.png" /></a></div><br />If you haven't guessed it by this point, I suppose it is only nice to tell you . . . I am back in a retelling kick. &nbsp;<strike>Wasting</strike>&nbsp;Spending&nbsp;time on Pinterest, I stumbled upon a great list of retellings. &nbsp;It told me that "they are a must read', so—as any good reader should do—I decided to find them at the local library. &nbsp;And—ding, ding, you guessed it!—this book was near the top of the list.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GwUhlJmlpck/UUAKfLg5odI/AAAAAAAACqQ/JLDqK3CMZbMQVphngul-E5vctRCfiaokQCPcB/s1600/whatsitabout.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GwUhlJmlpck/UUAKfLg5odI/AAAAAAAACqQ/JLDqK3CMZbMQVphngul-E5vctRCfiaokQCPcB/s1600/whatsitabout.png" /></a></div><br />At its basic level, this is a re-imagining of <i>Beauty and the Beast</i>&nbsp;with the "evil" faeries as the backdrop. &nbsp;Young Feyre is out hunting for food during the long, grueling winter. &nbsp;Spying a wolf about ready to take her quarry, she decides to kill it before it has the chance. &nbsp;It doesn't hurt anything that she is convinced it is one of the Fae rumored to sneak through the Wall and hurt people. &nbsp;After killing it, skinning it, and then selling its fur for a pretty penny, a large beast bursts into their house demanding penance. &nbsp;According to a treaty signed by the humans and Fae, her life is forfeit. &nbsp;Offering her an alternative to death, Feyre is taken to live across the Wall in Prythian.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LhAs8q5NGGE/UT_XijkC6JI/AAAAAAAACpc/TUB5ZMYBwIgXyO3KW-3RgWzoaZbRvLuBwCPcB/s1600/thoughs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LhAs8q5NGGE/UT_XijkC6JI/AAAAAAAACpc/TUB5ZMYBwIgXyO3KW-3RgWzoaZbRvLuBwCPcB/s1600/thoughs.png" /></a></div><br />Before I start, I <i>loved</i>&nbsp;this book! &nbsp;It kept me up reading into the night, kept me anti-social during my lunch breaks, and consumed all of my time once I got home from work. &nbsp;I could not put it down, nor did I want to finish reading it. &nbsp;That being said, however, I could not give it five skulls . . .<br /><br />Within the first few pages, I wanted to put the book down. &nbsp;Feyre's voice is insipid and whiny. &nbsp;Yes, she was the only person willing to feed her family; however, she spent more time complaining about her lot in life and a promise she made to her mother than much of anything else. &nbsp;In addition to which, the attitude taken toward her sisters was infuriating! &nbsp;It was understandable . . . To a point. <br /><br />Aside from setting the stage, I felt that the story didn't truly start to come into its own until after she was taken into Prythian. &nbsp;The audience wasn't given too much of her backstory until she started relating things to Tamlin and having moral quandaries with leaving them. &nbsp;In addition, the scene was better written and fleshed out once she crossed the Wall. &nbsp;That could have been an intentionally planned writing tool; however, it made everything before seem lackluster and unimportant. <br /><br />The characters in the book were quite interesting, and the author really could have done some amazing things with them. &nbsp;Sadly, she really failed to make them very three dimensional. &nbsp;I felt that Lucien was one of the better characters. &nbsp;He had a great presence in the book and tended to just fill the room with it. &nbsp;Tamlin was our typical Byronic hero—broody, tall, dark, and handsome. &nbsp;He was not a beast nor did Feyre truly transform him out of a beastly alter ego. &nbsp;Despite my better judgment, I did like Tamlin and found myself really cheering for him . . . Even though he was a two dimensional shell of a cliche character.<br /><br /><i>She</i>&nbsp;could have been a complex, sinister evil queen. &nbsp;Maas has all the markings of a remarkable villain; yet, she failed to grasp onto that and run with it. &nbsp;She was so cold and malevolent, it was jarring. <br /><br />The ending and how Maas has set up the next book with Rhys upsets me. &nbsp;Going into it would ruin the book. &nbsp;That being said, for me, it negated the premise of this book entirely. <br /><br />All in all, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to other people. &nbsp;Maas had an intriguing idea to bring a classic story into the realm of the Fae. &nbsp;She did a wonderful job bringing some things to life and adding a new spin on the story. <br /><br />(As a side note, I did find it interesting that this is a New Adult novel!)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><center><img alt="Much love, Sinn" border="0" src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sig.png" /></center><div class="feedflare">
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~4/chSb1h2r6Xg" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~3/chSb1h2r6Xg/book-review-court-of-thorns-and-roses.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (sinn)0http://www.sinnfulbooks.com/2016/09/book-review-court-of-thorns-and-roses.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528973813853190533.post-7633700139617014289Sun, 18 Sep 2016 19:24:00 +00002016-09-18T13:24:52.719-06:005 skullsbook clubfuriously happyhumorjenny lawsonmental illnessnon-fictionBook Review — Furiously Happy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6f7QCmEn8tE/V97hVNtsnpI/AAAAAAAADCw/KOO2RYuIZNMG6tvBqDDb5aYanwktlcKyACLcB/s1600/furiously-happy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6f7QCmEn8tE/V97hVNtsnpI/AAAAAAAADCw/KOO2RYuIZNMG6tvBqDDb5aYanwktlcKyACLcB/s400/furiously-happy.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><b>Title:</b>&nbsp; Furiously Happy<br /><b>Author:</b>&nbsp; Jenny Lawson<br /><b>Genre:</b>&nbsp; Humor/Non-Fiction<br /><b>Pages:</b>&nbsp;Hardback, 329<br /><b>Publisher:</b>&nbsp; Flatiron Books<br /><b>ISBN:</b>&nbsp; 978-1-250-07700-4<br /><b>Opening Lines:</b>&nbsp; <i>"This is where I was going to put a simple Mary Oliver quote but instead I decided to replace it with the idea I had for the cover of this book because I'm pretty sure it'll never get accepted and I don't want it to go to waste."</i><br /><center><h4>Rating</h4><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sinfulbooks_rating5_small.png" /></center><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"In <i>FURIOUSLY HAPPY</i>, #1 <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author Jenny Lawson explores her lifelong battle with mental illness. A hysterical, ridiculous book about crippling depression and anxiety? That sounds like a <i>terrible</i> idea.<br /><br />"But terrible ideas are what Jenny does best. <br /><br />"As Jenny sayd, "Some people might think that being 'furiously happy' is just an excuse to be stupid and irresponsible and invite a herd of kangaroos over to your house without telling your husband first because you suspect he would say no since he's never particularly liked kangaroos. And that would be ridiculous because no one would invite a herd of kangaroos into their house. Two is the limit. I speak from personal experience. My husband says that 'none' is the new limit. I say he should have been clearer about that before I rented all those kangaroos.<br /><br />'Most of my favorite people are dangerously fucked up but you'd never guess because we've learned to bare it so honestly that i becomes the new normal. Like John Hughes wrote in <i>The Breakfast Club</i>, "We're all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it." Except go back and cross out the word "hiding."'<br /><br />"<i>Furiously Happy</i> is a book about embracing everything that make us who we are—the beautiful and the flawed—and then using it to find joy in fantastic and outrageous ways. Because, as Jenny's mom says, 'Maybe "crazy" isn't so bad after all.' Sometimes crazy is just right."<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: right;">~ Jacket copy</h4></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ny8jHi1lLzM/UTp5TY-HOII/AAAAAAAACn8/jduQjTHRmiIOW1WIE1Vk9tamodq1ieOOQCPcB/s1600/whythisbook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ny8jHi1lLzM/UTp5TY-HOII/AAAAAAAACn8/jduQjTHRmiIOW1WIE1Vk9tamodq1ieOOQCPcB/s1600/whythisbook.png" /></a></div><br />This was a book club book. &nbsp;To be quite frank, I <i>never</i>&nbsp;would have picked this book up, and I very nearly put it back down again when I started reading it. &nbsp;But, sometimes, things are than they first appear.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ajHSVE2Y3zc/UTp8C3rsYRI/AAAAAAAACoU/5rYrlxSC5IsCI82toQIaWHaji41uARL5ACPcB/s1600/whatsitabout.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ajHSVE2Y3zc/UTp8C3rsYRI/AAAAAAAACoU/5rYrlxSC5IsCI82toQIaWHaji41uARL5ACPcB/s1600/whatsitabout.png" /></a></div><br />This is another instance when the jacket copy does a far better job than I could describing this book. &nbsp;Putting it very, very simply, this is a book about being mentally ill and choosing not to be a victim or letting society put you into a box.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_rPYwq1Vo8/UTp9v3lrKPI/AAAAAAAACog/s6IoDuHwM58WoWf7yf4FsVgu8OXKzPZFACPcB/s1600/thoughs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_rPYwq1Vo8/UTp9v3lrKPI/AAAAAAAACog/s6IoDuHwM58WoWf7yf4FsVgu8OXKzPZFACPcB/s1600/thoughs.png" /></a></div><br />As I previously stated, I almost put this book down. &nbsp;Soaking in a warm bath after a long, hard day at work, I had high hopes that this book would lift my mood, make me laugh, and just forget about the stress. &nbsp;Sadly, I found it starting to ratchet me up and piss me off. &nbsp;Jenny is very upfront and honest with the fact that she's mentally ill, and that was kind of a draw for me. &nbsp;I've struggled with OCD and severe anxiety since my early 20s, so the whole concept was intriguing. &nbsp;However, after getting a few pages past the first chapter, she made me irate. &nbsp;First of all, she was setting my own anxiety off. &nbsp;In addition, it felt as though she was letting her mental illness define her and using it as an excuse. &nbsp;But, considering that it was a book club pick, I persevered.<br /><br />In some ways, this book was just a series of random stories thrown together. &nbsp;Most of them were ridiculously funny and had me reading long into the night. &nbsp;Digging deeper, however, they were all little pieces that went into showing the reader just who Jenny is, how crazy she is, and be able to see her illness through a different lens. <br /><br />This book is extremely hard to describe. &nbsp;She is all over the place, over the top, intensely crazy, and, in some ways, extremely brilliant! &nbsp;If you struggle with mental illness or have dealt with it in you life, give this book a chance. <br /><br /><br /><center><img alt="Much love, Sinn" border="0" src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sig.png" /></center><div class="feedflare">
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~4/ariRvrhiIFE" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~3/ariRvrhiIFE/furiously-happy-book-review.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (sinn)0http://www.sinnfulbooks.com/2016/09/furiously-happy-book-review.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528973813853190533.post-4503601041259726163Mon, 05 Sep 2016 20:32:00 +00002016-09-05T14:32:19.284-06:005 skullscuckoo songEnglandfrances hardingegothicpost-WWIYA fantasyYA historical fictionya horrorYA mysteryBook Review — Cuckoo Song<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ves7ClGtwE/V83LvQNTYAI/AAAAAAAADCg/T9t11ggrWg0gbYM5y745lL5QR1I8y160QCLcB/s1600/cuckoo%2Bsong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ves7ClGtwE/V83LvQNTYAI/AAAAAAAADCg/T9t11ggrWg0gbYM5y745lL5QR1I8y160QCLcB/s400/cuckoo%2Bsong.jpg" width="265" /></a><br /><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Title:</b>&nbsp; Cuckoo Song</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Author:</b>&nbsp; Frances Hardinge</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Genre:</b>&nbsp; YA fantasy, horror, historical fiction, mystery</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Pages:</b>&nbsp; Hardback, 408</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Publisher:</b>&nbsp; Amulet Books</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>ISBN:</b>&nbsp; 978-1-4197-1480-1</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Opening Lines:</b>&nbsp; <i>"Her head hurt. &nbsp;There was a sound grating against her mind, a music-less rasp like the rustling of paper"</i><br /><center><h4>Rating</h4><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sinfulbooks_rating5_small.png" /></center><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"Following a mysterious accident that left her sopping wet, Triss awakens to a world that's eerily off-kilter. Her memories are muddled, her sister despises her, pages have been stolen from her private journal, and her appetite is insatiable. Confusion quickly turns to dread as she begins to see and hear things she shouldn't. Her dolls reveal themselves to be deceitful, living creatures; she's suddenly and inexplicably afraid of scissors; and when she brushes her hair, out sprinkle crumbled fragments of leaves.<br /><br />"Then she stumbles across evidence that hedr beloved brother, killed in the war, is actually alive—and she begins to suspect that the secrets lurking within her home are even more shocking than her twisted new reality. Is Triss going mad? Or did her accident trigger a nightmarish chain of events? In her quest to learn the truth, Triss ventures from the shelter of her parents' protective wings into the city's underbelly. There she encounters strange creatures whose grand schemes could forever alter the fates of her family." <br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: right;">~ Jacket copy</h4></blockquote><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0gJeLMQdc4w/UTOpuGqEwSI/AAAAAAAACm0/yRhL43kIEt8c53XCozYeaF7IEVObMSjiQCPcB/s1600/whythisbook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0gJeLMQdc4w/UTOpuGqEwSI/AAAAAAAACm0/yRhL43kIEt8c53XCozYeaF7IEVObMSjiQCPcB/s1600/whythisbook.png" /></a></div><br />One of the joys of my current job is the bi-annual book fairs! &nbsp;On my short lunch breaks, I would take the time to just wander through the displays of books. &nbsp;Some of them really didn't look appealing. &nbsp;Others, however, really caught my attention. &nbsp;This was one such book. &nbsp;Sometimes YA horror can be awful and painful to read, so I was curious whether this one would be different. &nbsp;Honestly, the cover also really drew me in. &nbsp;Imagine my surprise when I saw it sitting on the shelf at the local library several months later! &nbsp;And thus began my journey with this book.</center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gwOegNwGwCA/UTOpyhDJQII/AAAAAAAACm8/f0uZDiRaKN4IzTomzk2_pqtDvO-yLKVvwCPcB/s1600/whatsitabout.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gwOegNwGwCA/UTOpyhDJQII/AAAAAAAACm8/f0uZDiRaKN4IzTomzk2_pqtDvO-yLKVvwCPcB/s1600/whatsitabout.png" /></a></div><center style="text-align: left;"><br />Hmm, that is truly a hard question to answer. &nbsp;The jacket copy does an amazing job giving tantalizing details without giving away the huge twist of the book. &nbsp;At a basic level, it is about a family torn by the death of their son during WWI and how they cope. &nbsp;However, it is so much more than that! &nbsp;It centers around Triss—the sick daughter of well-to-do parents—and her struggle with her identity, the strange occurrences after her accident, and her relation with her family (especially her younger sister, Pen).</center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wYUO8Zqm3vs/UTOp3SPjpAI/AAAAAAAACnE/Fa5qM8byVdQxlrf-JDdV34e_YfY1kgYKwCPcB/s1600/thoughs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wYUO8Zqm3vs/UTOp3SPjpAI/AAAAAAAACnE/Fa5qM8byVdQxlrf-JDdV34e_YfY1kgYKwCPcB/s1600/thoughs.png" /></a></div><center style="text-align: left;"><br />This book was excellent! &nbsp;It has all the elements of a fairy tale while using the guise of post-WWI England as it's backdrop: the start of the post-war feminism, the birth of Jazz, and the very real effects of war and loss. &nbsp;In addition, it also has all of the workings of a Gothic novel: gloomy settings, supernatural creatures, curses, and heroes. &nbsp; &nbsp;</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">One of the things that really struck me in this book is the fact that the author didn't pull any punches. &nbsp;She tackles a lot of major and complex issues. &nbsp;Not only is she dealing with a family struggling hard to maintain the last vestiges of what they once were after an intense loss, but she dares to even show the socio-economic crisis after the end of the war. &nbsp;In some ways, while the Jazz clubs seem lively, they are shown as escapism in the very real face of things like hunger. &nbsp;It is also fascinating that the author uses a lot of the terminology from that time period, locale, and culture. &nbsp;In addition, spurning the typical YA romance and veiled references to sex in favor of a strong relationship with her little sister was a very surprising and welcome addition to this story. &nbsp;</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">It is really hard to fully address everything in this book without giving away Triss' full plight and the mystery surrounding her accident; however, it is definitely worth the read. &nbsp;Despite the gloomy, war-torn setting, this book is beautiful and full of hope and wonder. &nbsp;Even though Triss is only 13-years-old, this book has very complex themes, so it does not ostracize adult audiences. &nbsp;Do not pass this one up!</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /><center><img alt="Much love, Sinn" border="0" src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sig.png" /></center></center><div class="feedflare">
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~4/eic0TBu6Da4" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~3/eic0TBu6Da4/book-review-cuckoo-song.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (sinn)0http://www.sinnfulbooks.com/2016/09/book-review-cuckoo-song.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528973813853190533.post-7043335140190027033Sat, 03 Sep 2016 15:42:00 +00002016-09-05T13:48:42.625-06:005 skullsapocalypsefantasylittle red riding hoodretellingrosamund hodgeYABook Review — Crimson Bound<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wpHQR-UwpIE/V8rlj81y_fI/AAAAAAAADCQ/PGbSWKL2mCsit1IZG7Go1jhG9cy9LTd5wCLcB/s1600/crimson%2Bbound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wpHQR-UwpIE/V8rlj81y_fI/AAAAAAAADCQ/PGbSWKL2mCsit1IZG7Go1jhG9cy9LTd5wCLcB/s400/crimson%2Bbound.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><b>Title:</b>&nbsp; Crimson Bound<br /><b>Author:</b>&nbsp; Rosamund Hodge<br /><b>Genre:</b>&nbsp; YA Fantasy/Retelling<br /><b>Pages:</b>&nbsp; Hardback, 436<br /><b>Publisher:</b>&nbsp; Balzer + Bray<br /><b>ISBN: &nbsp;</b>978-0-06-222476-7<br /><b>Opening Lines: &nbsp;</b>"'<i>In all your life, your only choice,' Aunt Leonie said to her once, 'is the path of needles or the path of pins.'"</i><br /><center><h4>Rating</h4><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sinfulbooks_rating5_small.png" /></center><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"When Rachelle was fifteen she was good—apprenticed to her aunt and in training to protect her village from dark magic. But when Rachelle was fifteen she was also reckless—straying from the forest path in pursuit of a way to free her world from the threat of eternal darkness. After an illicit meeting foes dreadfully wrong, Rachelle is forced to make a terrible choice that binds her to the very evil she had hoped to defeat.<br /><br />"Three years later, Rachelle has given her life to serving the realm, fighting deadly creatures in an effort to atone. When the king orders her to guard his son Armand—the man she hates most—Rachelle forced Armand to help her hunt for legendary sword that might save their world. Together, they navigate the opulent world of courtly elite, where beauty and power reign and no one can be trusted. And as they become unexpected allies, they discover far-reaching conspiracies, hidden magic, and a love that may be their undoing. In a palace built on unbelievable wealth and dangerous secrets, can Rachelle discover the truth and stop the fall of endless night?" <br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: right;">~ Jacket copy</h4></blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ny8jHi1lLzM/UTp5TY-HOII/AAAAAAAACn8/jduQjTHRmiIOW1WIE1Vk9tamodq1ieOOQCPcB/s1600/whythisbook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ny8jHi1lLzM/UTp5TY-HOII/AAAAAAAACn8/jduQjTHRmiIOW1WIE1Vk9tamodq1ieOOQCPcB/s1600/whythisbook.png" /></a></div><br />Working as a nanny this summer, I had the "privilege" of reading <i>The Land of Stories</i>&nbsp;book one and two (please, do not <i>ever</i>&nbsp;subject yourself to that drivel!). &nbsp;In many ways, there is a lot of re-imaging in that series, which was one of the few reasons I continued to read the books to my charges (their steadfast love for the horrible books was the other). &nbsp;While the series was terribly written and juvenile at best (in the worst possible way for a 20-something year-old author), it reignited by love for retellings. &nbsp;Doing a search on Pinterest for them, I stumbled upon this one. &nbsp;Being given <i>Rose Daughter</i>&nbsp;when I was 14 opened many doors into that world. &nbsp;Even though I have&nbsp;read some interesting and obscure retellings, this was my first venture into <i>Little Read Riding Hood</i>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ajHSVE2Y3zc/UTp8C3rsYRI/AAAAAAAACoU/5rYrlxSC5IsCI82toQIaWHaji41uARL5ACPcB/s1600/whatsitabout.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ajHSVE2Y3zc/UTp8C3rsYRI/AAAAAAAACoU/5rYrlxSC5IsCI82toQIaWHaji41uARL5ACPcB/s1600/whatsitabout.png" /></a></div><br />At the very basic level, this book is an apocalyptic story. &nbsp;More years ago then can be counted, fraternal twins (a boy and a girl) stopped the Devourer from rising. &nbsp;Since then, on the fringes of society, woodwives have been weaving charms to protect the villages from him and his forestborn. &nbsp;As an apprentice woodwife, Rachelle's duty is to carry on in the long tradition of walking the path, never entering the forest, and weaving charms to protect her people. &nbsp;However, that changes when she meets her first forestborn and her feet dare to venture off of the path.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_rPYwq1Vo8/UTp9v3lrKPI/AAAAAAAACog/s6IoDuHwM58WoWf7yf4FsVgu8OXKzPZFACPcB/s1600/thoughs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_rPYwq1Vo8/UTp9v3lrKPI/AAAAAAAACog/s6IoDuHwM58WoWf7yf4FsVgu8OXKzPZFACPcB/s1600/thoughs.png" /></a></div><br />This book had everything you could hope for in a retelling, a YA fantasy, and a book concerned with the end of times. &nbsp;The author created an absolutely rich and vibrant world! &nbsp;She was able to do a wonderful job showing the difference between the decadence of court—the chateau later—and the villages on the outskirts of society, closer to the forests. &nbsp;It was obvious to me that she studied Medieval literature in school. &nbsp;The dichotomies she presented are very prevalent in that time period. &nbsp;It gave a more fairytale-esque air to the story, and, in some ways, made it far darker.<br /><br />The characters were well thought out and sympathetic. &nbsp;In more ways than one, she was able to help me, as the reader, get inside of Rachelle' struggle. &nbsp;Erik is very much akin to a person in my own life, so it made the story truly engrossing and all-encompassing. &nbsp;Even the secondary characters had depth to them! <br /><br />It is hard to fully talk about this book without giving away too much. &nbsp;Suffice to say, it was beautiful, magical, romantic, and dark all at the same time. &nbsp;It was hard to put this book down, and I found myself wanting to burn the midnight oil despite work the following morning. &nbsp;This is definitely a book that stays with you. <br /><br /><br /><center><img alt="Much love, Sinn" border="0" src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sig.png" /></center><div class="feedflare">
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~4/alODVtx3rmA" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~3/alODVtx3rmA/book-review-crimson-bound.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (sinn)0http://www.sinnfulbooks.com/2016/09/book-review-crimson-bound.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528973813853190533.post-6075520129892368548Sun, 14 Aug 2016 21:42:00 +00002016-08-14T15:49:11.310-06:00145 skullshorrormysterypeter clinessci-fiBook Review — 14<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NdLnw78jBUA/V7DeYD7oFaI/AAAAAAAADB8/dbijesKmdksvUYaUgp6xZ9R0AvsL8l7WwCLcB/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NdLnw78jBUA/V7DeYD7oFaI/AAAAAAAADB8/dbijesKmdksvUYaUgp6xZ9R0AvsL8l7WwCLcB/s400/14.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><b>Title:</b>&nbsp; 14<br /><b>Author:</b>&nbsp; Peter Clines<br /><b>Genre: &nbsp;</b>Sci-Fi<br /><b>Pages:</b>&nbsp; Oversize paperback, 350<br /><b>Publisher:</b>&nbsp; Permuted Press<br /><b>ISBN:</b>&nbsp; 978-1-61868-052-5<br /><b>Opening Lines:</b>&nbsp; <i>"He ran. &nbsp;He ran as fast as he could. &nbsp;As if Hell itself were chasing him. &nbsp;As if his life depended on it."</i><br /><center><h4>Rating</h4><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sinfulbooks_rating5_small.png" /></center><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"There are some odd things about Nate's new apartment.<br /><br />"Of course, he has other things on his mind. He hates his job. He has no money in the bank. No girlfriend. No plans for the future. So while his new home isn't perfect, it's livable. The rent is love, the property managers are friendly, and the odd little mysteries don't nag at him too much.<br /><br />"At least, not until he meets Mandy, his neighbor across the hall, and notices something unusual about her apartment. And Xela's apartment. And Tim's. And Veek's. <br /><br />"Because every room in his old Los Angeles brownstone has a mystery or two. Mysteries that stretch back over a hundred years. Some of them are in plain sight. Some are behind locked doors. And all together these mysteries could mean the end of Nate and his friends.<br /><br />"<i>Or the end of everything . . .</i>" <br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: right;">~ Jacket copy</h4></blockquote><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ny8jHi1lLzM/UTp5TY-HOII/AAAAAAAACn8/jduQjTHRmiIOW1WIE1Vk9tamodq1ieOOQCPcB/s1600/whythisbook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ny8jHi1lLzM/UTp5TY-HOII/AAAAAAAACn8/jduQjTHRmiIOW1WIE1Vk9tamodq1ieOOQCPcB/s1600/whythisbook.png" /></a></div><br />My bother has been pestering me to read this book since he got it on Audible. &nbsp;Honestly, I wasn't sure what the hype was about. &nbsp;After listening to the first 20 minutes of it and the ceaseless pestering, I finally decided to ILL it from the local library. &nbsp;And once I started, the book would not leave my hand!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ajHSVE2Y3zc/UTp8C3rsYRI/AAAAAAAACoU/5rYrlxSC5IsCI82toQIaWHaji41uARL5ACPcB/s1600/whatsitabout.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ajHSVE2Y3zc/UTp8C3rsYRI/AAAAAAAACoU/5rYrlxSC5IsCI82toQIaWHaji41uARL5ACPcB/s1600/whatsitabout.png" /></a></div><br />This book is hard to quantify without giving away the entire plot. &nbsp;In a nutshell, it is a mystery! &nbsp;After finding a fairly cheap apartment with a good view in downtown L.A., Nate keeps his head down and just plugs away at his life as data entry. &nbsp;However, he starts noticing odd things about his apartment building . . .<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_rPYwq1Vo8/UTp9v3lrKPI/AAAAAAAACog/s6IoDuHwM58WoWf7yf4FsVgu8OXKzPZFACPcB/s1600/thoughs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_rPYwq1Vo8/UTp9v3lrKPI/AAAAAAAACog/s6IoDuHwM58WoWf7yf4FsVgu8OXKzPZFACPcB/s1600/thoughs.png" /></a></div><br />Wow! This book is amazing, time consuming, and ineffable! &nbsp;My brother did a great thing forcing me to read <i>14</i>. &nbsp;Being an avid reader, it is easy to pick up on a plot because, at some level, you've seen it before. &nbsp;Clines was able—at some level—to keep me guessing and on the edge of my seat. &nbsp;However, when I was able to put the pieces together, it felt akin to an Earth-shattering accomplishment and a little surprise just for me. &nbsp;And the reward was great!<br /><br />Clines created a well crafted story with a unique plot line, believable characters, and a good all around mystery. &nbsp;While it encompasses the sci-fi genre perfectly, it is set in modern-day L.A. &nbsp;At the onset, it has the elements of a classic horror novel; however, little things like the cockroaches make the reader start to wonder. &nbsp;He does a marvelous job making his audience question what's really happening along with the characters.<br /><br />This book is extremely hard to discuss without giving away the surprise. &nbsp;It is similar to discovering your Christmas presents in mom and dad's closet and trying to feign surprise when you finally open them. &nbsp;It would be wonderful to talk about, but ruining that mystery for future readers is inexcusable. &nbsp;This is a book you should not miss!<br /><br /><br /><center><img alt="Much love, Sinn" border="0" src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sig.png" /></center><div class="feedflare">
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~4/1dXCyCB5Pao" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~3/1dXCyCB5Pao/book-review-14.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (sinn)0http://www.sinnfulbooks.com/2016/08/book-review-14.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528973813853190533.post-5345812317709124331Wed, 27 Jul 2016 02:09:00 +00002016-07-30T17:32:46.327-06:004 skullsfaepatricia briggsurban fantasywerewolvesBook Review — Dead Heat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-maeQVA5sv64/V5gVbmWQeBI/AAAAAAAADBs/m3tg_QJqEXcNAU7CMvew84SJWa2uJJ-5gCLcB/s1600/dead%2Bheat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-maeQVA5sv64/V5gVbmWQeBI/AAAAAAAADBs/m3tg_QJqEXcNAU7CMvew84SJWa2uJJ-5gCLcB/s320/dead%2Bheat.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><b>Title:</b>&nbsp; Dead Heat<br /><b>Author:</b>&nbsp; Patricia Briggs<br /><b>Genre:</b>&nbsp; Urban Fantasy<br /><b>Pages:</b>&nbsp; Paperback, 305<br /><b>Publisher:</b>&nbsp; ACE Fantasy<br /><b>ISBN:</b>&nbsp; 978-0-425-25628-2<br /><b>Opening Lines:</b>&nbsp; "<i>The fae lord stalked back and forth in his cell of gray stone.Three steps, turn, four steps, turn, three steps.</i>"<br /><center><h4>Rating</h4><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sinfulbooks_rating4_small.png" /></center><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"For once, werewolves Charles and Anna are not traveling because of Charles's role as his father's enforcer. This time, their trip to Arizona is purely personal. Or at least their visit starts out that way . . .<br /><br /> "Charles and Anna soon discover that a dangerous fae being is on the loose, replacing human children with simulacrums. The fae have started a cold war with humanity that's about to heat up—and Charles and Anna are in the cross fire."<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: right;">~ Jacket copy</h4></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--H_tcJ72dz4/UViFbYd5fMI/AAAAAAAACvU/rLIohno_wr02lClk_JuQe9FyDvk_ZoFBgCKgB/s1600/whythisbook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--H_tcJ72dz4/UViFbYd5fMI/AAAAAAAACvU/rLIohno_wr02lClk_JuQe9FyDvk_ZoFBgCKgB/s1600/whythisbook.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">I got it in my head to finally read further into the <i>Alpha and Omega</i>&nbsp;series. &nbsp;The first two books floored me, and I loved them. &nbsp;Sadly, when I grabbed one of the newer ones, I couldn't fully remember what came before. &nbsp;This started on a quest to read through the first books and finally catch up. &nbsp;So, there you have it, that's why I picked this one up: it was the next in the series and I <i>had</i>&nbsp;to get my hands on it!</center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B7ha4_Z98tQ/UViFdSvl5DI/AAAAAAAACvc/t8rTsS0HLZA_xb8Wr4ZMR_nEI3KKnKZngCKgB/s1600/whatsitabout.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B7ha4_Z98tQ/UViFdSvl5DI/AAAAAAAACvc/t8rTsS0HLZA_xb8Wr4ZMR_nEI3KKnKZngCKgB/s1600/whatsitabout.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">Anna has been plodding along on a gelding that she was given when she first moved to Montana. &nbsp;While the worse is a good, solid animal, Charles feels that it doesn't fit her. &nbsp;After receiving a call from an old friend, he decides her "need" is a good excuse to visit Arizona on the pretext of buying her an Arabian. &nbsp;That, however, causes them to stumble upon a sick fae who could be threatening the Arizona pack.</center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HFFyPufH2Kg/UViFfbY-K-I/AAAAAAAACvk/1rbQSLbCfVcgn3tmA-CKfPo6VIZtBLQqwCKgB/s1600/thoughs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HFFyPufH2Kg/UViFfbY-K-I/AAAAAAAACvk/1rbQSLbCfVcgn3tmA-CKfPo6VIZtBLQqwCKgB/s1600/thoughs.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">This book was on par with the others. &nbsp;I found myself tearing through it and enjoying it just as much. &nbsp;Briggs did a wonderful job showing that Charles and Anna are finally getting to a point of being comfortable in their relationship. &nbsp;In addition, it was nice to see that Charles had a life outside of being Bran's enforcer and pack treasurer. &nbsp;&nbsp;</center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">Even though the book was as engrossing as the others, something felt a little off and forced about it. &nbsp;I loved the concept of the fae Briggs created and the inherent tension after the events of the last book. &nbsp;However, Briggs' love of horses seemed to overpower the actual plot. &nbsp;Joseph's character and everything surrounding the Arabian ranch wasn't a vehicle that was used well. &nbsp;In some respects, it felt forced and almost as though it was a side thing. &nbsp;The other books felt completely seamless and all the elements blended together smoothly. &nbsp;For me, this was one did not. &nbsp;The characters were great, the felt fairly well developed, but . . .&nbsp;</center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">My reservations aside, it was a good book and a fun read! &nbsp;It helped continue to story and gave good introduction into the new issues with the fae. &nbsp;It will be quite interesting to see how that turns out in later books. &nbsp;It makes me wonder whether the new focus will be the publicity of the werewolves, or whether that will be completely glossed over by everything else! &nbsp;</center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /> <center><img alt="Much love, Sinn" border="0" src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sig.png" /></center></center><div class="feedflare">
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~4/DW-aTTW5LYs" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~3/DW-aTTW5LYs/book-review-dead-heat.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (sinn)0http://www.sinnfulbooks.com/2016/07/book-review-dead-heat.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528973813853190533.post-3341338533883672727Sat, 21 May 2016 02:26:00 +00002016-05-20T20:26:09.879-06:002 skullsdark fantasyfairy talesnightliferob thurmanurban fantasyBook Review — Nightlife<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ze80GX9LCLw/Vz-P-7oxm5I/AAAAAAAADBc/r1_8nj8nxEEe5WiqFIL2EioGZK_fL1rswCLcB/s1600/Nightlife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ze80GX9LCLw/Vz-P-7oxm5I/AAAAAAAADBc/r1_8nj8nxEEe5WiqFIL2EioGZK_fL1rswCLcB/s320/Nightlife.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Title:</b>&nbsp; Nightlife</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Author:</b>&nbsp; Rob Thurman</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Genre:</b>&nbsp; Urban Fantasy</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Pages:</b>&nbsp; Paperback, 339</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Publisher:</b>&nbsp; ROC</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>ISBN:</b>&nbsp; 978-0-451-46075-2</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Opening Lines: &nbsp;</b>"<i>People . . . They do the craziest shit.</i>"</center><center style="text-align: left;"><center><h4>Rating</h4><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sinfulbooks_rating2_small.png" /></center><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"Welcome to the Big Apple. &nbsp;There's a troll under the Brooklyn Bridge, a boggle in Central Park, and a beautiful vampire in a penthouse on the Upper East Side—and that's only the beginning. &nbsp;Of course, most humans are oblivious to the preternatural nightlife around them, but Cal Leandros is only half human.<br /><br />"His father's dark lineage is the stuff of nightmares—and he and his entire otherwordly race are after Cal. &nbsp;Why? &nbsp;Cal hasn't exactly wanted to stay around long enough to find out."<br /><br />"He and his half brother, Niko, have managed to stay a step ahead for four years, but now Cal's dad has found them again. And Cal is about to learn why they want him, why they've always wanted him: He is the key to unleashing their hell on earth. The fate of the human world will be decided in the fight of Cal's life . . ." <br /><h4 style="text-align: right;">~ Jacket copy</h4></blockquote><center style="text-align: left;"></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4GeFr9h_hww/UWhHwUHQ6ZI/AAAAAAAACxM/W6llffcx7-01e3n9l_lNRf51Ctntzl5ZACKgB/s1600/whythisbook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4GeFr9h_hww/UWhHwUHQ6ZI/AAAAAAAACxM/W6llffcx7-01e3n9l_lNRf51Ctntzl5ZACKgB/s1600/whythisbook.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Shortly after this book came out, my former sister-in-law sent it to me as a Christmas present. &nbsp;I eagerly picked it up, started reading it, and then promptly put it back down. &nbsp;It was clear from the writing that it was her first book, and I couldn't convinced myself to push any further. &nbsp;However, after a lot of nagging, "guilting", and pouting on the part of my former SIL, I dusted off the book and gave it another chance. &nbsp;The second time must have been a charm! &nbsp;I was able to tear through it in a few days. &nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A few months ago at a gaming session, this book came back to mind. &nbsp;I remembered loving it and needed to reacquaint myself with it. &nbsp;Sadly, I couldn't find my damn copy and went on a quest to get my hands on it again. &nbsp;Sadly, I had a similar experience to the first time I tried reading it. &nbsp;Yes, it was interesting, but . . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LwSpsXaVg30/UVzmgylL2DI/AAAAAAAACwc/nRbz9xBVWhUFY3FkQJSK-zFcXeAmjFzJACKgB/s1600/whatsitabout.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LwSpsXaVg30/UVzmgylL2DI/AAAAAAAACwc/nRbz9xBVWhUFY3FkQJSK-zFcXeAmjFzJACKgB/s1600/whatsitabout.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cal is a monster. &nbsp;He's the misbegotten spawn of a union between a drunken fortuneteller and something that has all the vestiges of a demon. &nbsp;His mother is loath to even acknowledge his existence, his father lurks in the shadows and watches every movement, and his half brother is left as his only guardian. &nbsp;After escaping from his father's realm four years ago, Cal and his older brother have been on the run. &nbsp;Now, however, after things appear to be calming down, Niko (his older brother) spots a dreaded Grendel in Central Park. &nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Ms0lDPgvas/UVzmiU0qbJI/AAAAAAAACwk/GtX4u_zDkyURzi_OMT9Eyuf85uy8kUmIQCKgB/s1600/thoughs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Ms0lDPgvas/UVzmiU0qbJI/AAAAAAAACwk/GtX4u_zDkyURzi_OMT9Eyuf85uy8kUmIQCKgB/s1600/thoughs.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Please do not mistake my intro, this book is not a bad book and has the markings of a great story! &nbsp;In fact, if I recall correctly, the later books get progressively better and are riveting. &nbsp;For me, however, this book really fell short. &nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At best, most of the characters are extremely two dimensional and lack a real zest or <i>spark</i>&nbsp;which gives them something a bit more. &nbsp;Most of them are easily forgettable once you put the book down. &nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The pacing of the book felt off, too. &nbsp;There were points when it felt rushed, veered off, and slowed down considerably. &nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Honestly, I am sitting here trying to squeeze myself for something to say, but nothing is coming out. &nbsp;When it gets right down to it, there was nothing truly memorable about this book. &nbsp;What I remember most comes from later books and how the characters were later developed. &nbsp;It is obvious that this book was a first one, and the author definitely started to come into her own. I might recommend this series to people just for the later books, but I almost wish this one could be skipped. &nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you want a simple read that doesn't require too much commitment and big words thrown in for good measure, this isn't a bad book to pick up. &nbsp;It is definitely a far introduction to the later books, which are far better—if memory serves.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><center><img alt="Much love, Sinn" border="0" src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sig.png" /></center></center><div class="feedflare">
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~4/6qHA2dVAEyk" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~3/6qHA2dVAEyk/book-review-nightlife.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (sinn)0http://www.sinnfulbooks.com/2016/05/book-review-nightlife.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528973813853190533.post-670977186489758767Wed, 20 Apr 2016 00:09:00 +00002016-04-19T18:09:18.849-06:004 skullsadam nevillegothichorrorreviewBook Review — The House of Small Shadows<center style="text-align: left;"><center style="text-align: left;">Looking back, I find that it has been over a year since my fingers lovingly touched the keys on this laptop to pen a new review. &nbsp;So many things have happened since then, and life has brought me to new and exciting places. &nbsp;I would love to say that I shall remain faithful to updating this site, but—in all honesty and disclosure—who am I kidding? &nbsp;The changes have meant that I find myself reading less, while desiring/needing the respite and escape tendered in the pages more than the air I breathe.&nbsp;</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">So, dear readers, while I will not give you platitudes of my steadfast endurance to update this regularly, I shall endeavor to try. &nbsp;</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">And now, with that gracefully penned (or typed, as the case may be) introduction, the stage is set with another chilling tale of horror. &nbsp;Since it was left with horror, it seems apropos to start again with the ghastly, grisly, and macabre tale of chilling memory.</center><br /><br /><hr /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wlkWqV-6gos/Vxa_lFEPzMI/AAAAAAAADBA/cxQlSWXVspoDYAs7RzXmXu8gLgtlLMwwgCLcB/s1600/house%2Bof%2Bsmall%2Bshadows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wlkWqV-6gos/Vxa_lFEPzMI/AAAAAAAADBA/cxQlSWXVspoDYAs7RzXmXu8gLgtlLMwwgCLcB/s400/house%2Bof%2Bsmall%2Bshadows.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><b>Title:</b>&nbsp; The House of Small Shadows</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Author:</b>&nbsp; Adam Neville</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Genre: </b>&nbsp;Horror</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Pages:</b>&nbsp; Hardcover, 371</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Publisher:</b>&nbsp; St. Martin's Press</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>ISBN:</b>&nbsp; 978-1-250-04127-2</center><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Opening Lines:</b>&nbsp; "As if by a dream Catherine came to the Red House. &nbsp;She abandoned her car once the lane's dusty surface was choked by the hedgerows, and moved on foot through a tunnel of hawthorn and hazel trees to glimpse the steep pitch of the roof, the ruddy brick chimneys and the finials upon its sharp spine."</center><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><h4>Rating</h4><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sinfulbooks_rating4_small.png" /></div><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"Catherine's last job ended badly. Corporate bullying at a top antiques publication saw her fired and forced to leave London, but she was determined to get her life back. A new job and a few therapists later, things look much brighter. Especially when a challenging new project presents itself—to catalogue Britain's greatest taxidermist, the late M.H. Mason's wildly eccentric cache of antique dolls and preserved animals posed in elaborate dioramas. Rarest of all, she'll get to examine his elaborate displays of posed, costumed, and preserved animals, depicting bloody scenes from World War I.<br /><br />"When Mason's elderly niece invites her to stay at the Red House itself, Catherine believes that her luck is finally changing. She's thrilled to maintain the collection until his niece exposes her to the dark message behind her uncle's 'Art.' Catherine tries to concentrate on the job, but Mason's damaged visions begin to raise dark shadows from her own past. Shadows she'd hoped therapy had finally erased. Soon the barriers between reality, sanity, and memory start to merge and some truths seem too terrible to be real . . . " <br /><h4 style="text-align: right;">~ Jacket copy</h4></blockquote><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0gJeLMQdc4w/UTOpuGqEwSI/AAAAAAAACm0/ozEtIDnE-hc/s1600/whythisbook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0gJeLMQdc4w/UTOpuGqEwSI/AAAAAAAACm0/ozEtIDnE-hc/s1600/whythisbook.png" /></a></div><br />One ordinary day, I was reading <i>Gothic Beauty</i>&nbsp;in the local bookstore and stumbled upon Adam Neville mentioned in one of their top horror novels listings. &nbsp;Neville then became a curiosity of mine for quite awhile; however, I was never able to get my hands on any of his books. &nbsp;Partly due to the lack at any bookstores and availability at the library. &nbsp;When I chanced upon this title listed on the top horror novels, I decided to give my local library another go. <br /><br />To add a cherry to the discovery of the book, it dealt with China dolls—one of my biggest fears!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwOegNwGwCA/UTOpyhDJQII/AAAAAAAACm8/5_0JXP9dhRE/s1600/whatsitabout.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwOegNwGwCA/UTOpyhDJQII/AAAAAAAACm8/5_0JXP9dhRE/s1600/whatsitabout.png" /></a></div><br />To be quite honest, I'm not entirely sure what this book is about. &nbsp;Simply put, I would say that it's about memories and forced self discovery. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wYUO8Zqm3vs/UTOp3SPjpAI/AAAAAAAACnE/zyrqTUzERIo/s1600/thoughs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wYUO8Zqm3vs/UTOp3SPjpAI/AAAAAAAACnE/zyrqTUzERIo/s1600/thoughs.png" /></a></div><br />I'm still torn as to what I think of this book. &nbsp;Elements of it are amazing! &nbsp;The ghastly and macabre air of mystery and the unknown lent to Gothic feel. &nbsp;Neville was able to take the seemingly ordinary and twist it ever so slightly to make innocuous things turn sinister. &nbsp;This gave it an overriding <i>creepy</i>&nbsp;feeling to the whole experience of the book. &nbsp;And, to be quite honest, a book that forces me to look up words is truly amazing and worth a look!<br /><br />Immediately, the book was engrossing and kept me wanting more. &nbsp;I found myself staying up far later than I should just to read "one more page". &nbsp;It would even ride along with me to work, so I could find a few extra minutes to read before I had to clock in for the day. &nbsp;Truly, it was engaging and extremely hard to put down. &nbsp;All of that being said, however, I felt as though many things in the book were not fully explained. &nbsp;Yes, the reader guesses that something happened in London (you're finally told a little bit), but we never really know was fully happened. &nbsp;And, with the little details that are given, I was questioning why she would be hired later on. &nbsp;Yes, yes, we are told and it makes sense in the end, but I was still baffled through the vast majority of the book. &nbsp;In addition to which, not only was I left with unanswered questions at the end, I found the end raising even more questions. &nbsp;For me, that left me completely disheartened by the reading experience. &nbsp;Even days later, I am disquieted when I think about it. <br /><br />It is hard for me to write a proper review of this book when I have such a lackluster attitude walking away from it. &nbsp;In some ways, it is hard for me to put down and let the questions rest. &nbsp;All of that aside, it is worth a read! &nbsp;The narrative style and the captivating mastery of the Gothic novel make it worthwhile in the end!<br /><br /><center></center><center></center><center></center><center></center><center></center><center></center><center></center><center></center><center></center><center></center><center></center><center></center><center></center><center></center><center></center><center></center><center></center><center></center><center><img alt="Much love, Sinn" border="0" src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sig.png" /></center><div class="feedflare">
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~4/wF5TN4WPz2o" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~3/wF5TN4WPz2o/book-review-house-of-small-shadows.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (sinn)0http://www.sinnfulbooks.com/2016/04/book-review-house-of-small-shadows.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528973813853190533.post-4206158984212624581Fri, 04 Jul 2014 20:57:00 +00002014-07-04T14:57:05.171-06:005 skullsbook reviewdathan auerbachhorrormysteryBook Review — Penpal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sxaqjj3JJQ4/U7cRMeX5_mI/AAAAAAAAC_0/WYT48gjzy-c/s1600/penpal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sxaqjj3JJQ4/U7cRMeX5_mI/AAAAAAAAC_0/WYT48gjzy-c/s1600/penpal.jpg" height="400" width="253" /></a></div><strong>Title:</strong>&nbsp; Penpal<br /><strong>Author:</strong>&nbsp; Dathan Auerbach<br /><strong>Genre:</strong>&nbsp; Horror/Mystery<br /><strong>Pages:</strong>&nbsp; Oversize paperback, 238<br /><strong>Publisher:</strong>&nbsp; 1000Vultures<br /><strong>ISBN:</strong>&nbsp; 978-0-9855455-0-5<br /><strong>Opening Lines:</strong>&nbsp; "When I was younger, I took a job at a deli that had what the owner called an 'ice cream buffet.'&nbsp; On Thursdays, children would get a free ice cream cone with their meals, and they could pick any one of the fifteen flavors we had."."<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><h4>Rating</h4><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sinfulbooks_rating5_small.png" /></div><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"In an attempt to make sense of his own mysterious and unsettling childhood memories, a man begins to reconstruct his past. As the games and adventures of his youth become engulfed by a larger story, he finds that it forms a tapestry of unbelievable horror that he never could have expected.<br /><br />"Each chapter completes a different piece of the puzzle for both you and the narrator, and by the end of it all, you will wish you could forget what he never knew." <br /><h4 style="text-align: right;">~ Jacket copy</h4></blockquote><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0gJeLMQdc4w/UTOpuGqEwSI/AAAAAAAACm0/ozEtIDnE-hc/s1600/whythisbook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0gJeLMQdc4w/UTOpuGqEwSI/AAAAAAAACm0/ozEtIDnE-hc/s1600/whythisbook.png" /></a></div><br />Honestly, I have been in the mood for a good horror story.&nbsp; After really enjoying <em>NOS4A2</em>, I decided to see what Amazon recommended based on that book.&nbsp; This was one of the books near the top of the list.&nbsp; Not even sure what I was getting myself into, I decided to ILL it through my local library.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwOegNwGwCA/UTOpyhDJQII/AAAAAAAACm8/5_0JXP9dhRE/s1600/whatsitabout.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwOegNwGwCA/UTOpyhDJQII/AAAAAAAACm8/5_0JXP9dhRE/s1600/whatsitabout.png" /></a></div><br />The jacket copy does a better job explaining it than I ever could!&nbsp; This is one of those books that is hard to explain without giving everything away.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wYUO8Zqm3vs/UTOp3SPjpAI/AAAAAAAACnE/zyrqTUzERIo/s1600/thoughs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wYUO8Zqm3vs/UTOp3SPjpAI/AAAAAAAACnE/zyrqTUzERIo/s1600/thoughs.png" /></a></div><br />Wow, I'm not even sure how to begin!&nbsp; This book was a page turner!&nbsp; I started it late last night,&nbsp;read until my eyes closed, and then finished it today.&nbsp; Granted, there were extraneous details that I decided to skip over when it got a bit too wordy; however, the book kept me captivated and on the edge of my seat.&nbsp; <br /><br />As the jacket copy implies (and something&nbsp;stated near the beginning),&nbsp;the reader doesn't really put the pieces together until&nbsp;nearly the&nbsp;end of the novel.&nbsp; For me, that&nbsp;wasn't the case.&nbsp; From the first comment of the balloon adventure, I figured out was had happened and had a&nbsp;<em>very</em> good idea what was going to happen.&nbsp; That being said, it was still&nbsp;hard to put the book down.<br /><br />Aside from the fact that it was intensely captivating, I'm not sure what else there is to say about this book.&nbsp; It&nbsp;definitely pulls at the heart strings and plays on the imaginary nature of childhood.&nbsp; However, the dark and sinister aspect makes you think about things in a different light.&nbsp; <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Penpal-Dathan-Auerbach-ebook/dp/B008WVVKCQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1404507320&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=penpal+dathan+auerbach"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bqn7Nlp5c1k/UUkPpX6u2kI/AAAAAAAACrk/EdP9cBAcgvE/s1600/amazon.png" /></a></div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14578407-penpal?from_search=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YtXplzihiWo/UUkPsBW3IgI/AAAAAAAACrs/jQ87rF0s5tQ/s1600/goodreads1.png" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><img alt="Much love, Sinn" border="0" src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sig.png" /></center><div class="feedflare">
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~4/og_q2LeewmQ" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~3/og_q2LeewmQ/book-review-penpal.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (sinn)1http://www.sinnfulbooks.com/2014/07/book-review-penpal.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528973813853190533.post-3850711764320615783Mon, 12 May 2014 01:06:00 +00002014-05-11T19:06:38.431-06:00updateHello, World!Holy shit, it has been a <em>long</em> time since I last posted!&nbsp; Honestly, between work, getting my CDA certification, and an over abundance of life, everything else has fallen by the wayside.&nbsp; <br /><br />After finishing my latest book, I decided that this blog <em>really</em>, <em>desperately</em> needed to be update.&nbsp; Not only for my own sanity, but for the people who enjoy reading my posts.&nbsp; <br /><br />As I say every time I write one of these, I am very sorry for my lack of posts and updates on this blog.&nbsp; Whenever I finish reading a book, thoughts of writing a review run through my head.&nbsp; Do they ever get written?&nbsp; Fuck no!&nbsp; That being said, however, I hope to change that and go back to regularly updating this blog.&nbsp; Granted, it won't be as constantly, since I have less time to read.&nbsp; <br /><br />One way or the other, my plan is to dust off the pages and start writing again.&nbsp; I hope to see you guys come back to read ^____^<br /><br /><br /><center><img alt="Much love, Sinn" border="0" src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sig.png" /></center><div class="feedflare">
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~4/bHijiBWaKK4" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~3/bHijiBWaKK4/hell-world.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (sinn)0http://www.sinnfulbooks.com/2014/05/hell-world.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528973813853190533.post-2952128865393315092Mon, 12 May 2014 00:57:00 +00002014-05-11T18:57:32.973-06:003 skullsbook reviewcontemporaryfictionhistoryKatherine howesalem witch trialsthe physick book of deliverance daneBook Review — The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kdSDuIezJ5c/U3ASXuQtrqI/AAAAAAAAC_U/pEQC8EUP0xA/s1600/PhysickBook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kdSDuIezJ5c/U3ASXuQtrqI/AAAAAAAAC_U/pEQC8EUP0xA/s1600/PhysickBook.jpg" height="400" width="258" /></a></div><strong>Title:</strong>&nbsp; The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane<br /><strong>Author:</strong>&nbsp; Katherine Howe<br /><strong>Genre:</strong>&nbsp; Contemporary fiction<br /><strong>Pages:</strong>&nbsp; Hardback, 362<br /><strong>Publisher:</strong>&nbsp; Hyperion, 2009<br /><strong>ISBN:</strong>&nbsp; 978-1-4013-4090-2<br /><strong>Opening Lines:</strong>&nbsp; "Peter Petford slipped a long wooden spoon into the summering iron pot of lentils hanging over the fire and tried to push the worry from his stomach."<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><h4>Rating</h4><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sinfulbooks_rating3_small.png" /></div><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"Harvard graduate student Connie Goodwin needs to spend her summer doing research for her doctoral dissertation. But when her mother asks her to handle the sale of Connie's grandmother's abandoned home near Salem, she can't refuse. As she is drawn deeper into the mysteries of the family house, Connie discovers an ancient key within the seventeenth-century Bible. The key contains a yellowing fragment of parchment with a name written upon it: Deliverance Dane. This discover launches Connie on a quest—to find out who this woman was and to unearth a rare artifact of singular power: a physick book, its pages a secret repository for lost knowledge.<br /><br />"As the pieces of Deliverance's harrowing story begin to fall into place, Connie is haunted by visions of long-ago witch trials, and she begins to fear that she is more tied to Salem's dark past than she could have ever imagined."<br /><h4 style="text-align: right;">~ Jacket copy</h4></blockquote><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0gJeLMQdc4w/UTOpuGqEwSI/AAAAAAAACm0/ozEtIDnE-hc/s1600/whythisbook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0gJeLMQdc4w/UTOpuGqEwSI/AAAAAAAACm0/ozEtIDnE-hc/s1600/whythisbook.png" /></a></div><br />In an attempt to add more structure to our classroom and do something the children want, the teachers in my grade-school classroom sat down with the kids and discussed things we would like to learn about.&nbsp; During the conversation, a lot of different history topics were brought up.&nbsp; Having a degree in English and a minor in history, I thought it would be absolutely awesome to read a young adult book about a specific time in history (i.e., <em>The Big Burn</em>) and then discuss the actual historical event.&nbsp; Honestly, I think I got more into the idea than the kids &gt;.&lt;&nbsp; Whether that's true or not, I was curious to read young adult fiction or contemporary fiction dealing with the Salem witch trials.&nbsp; The whole subject was always rather interesting to me, especially since it has almost turned into an American folktale.&nbsp; And, after doing a subject search on Goodreads, I found this little gem.&nbsp; <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwOegNwGwCA/UTOpyhDJQII/AAAAAAAACm8/5_0JXP9dhRE/s1600/whatsitabout.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwOegNwGwCA/UTOpyhDJQII/AAAAAAAACm8/5_0JXP9dhRE/s1600/whatsitabout.png" /></a></div><br />After being accepted into the PhD program at Harvard in Colonial American Studies, Connie Goodwin is contact by her mother.&nbsp; It appears as though her grandmother's house has finally built up an excess in back-owed property tax that the city is going to start taking action against Connie's mother.&nbsp; She begs Connie to clean out the house and get it ready for sale.&nbsp; Unfortunately, Connie is supposed to spend the summer researching for her dissertation and present her topics to her advisor.&nbsp; This, while proving an interesting opportunity, really throws a wrench in the gears.&nbsp; <br /><br />While looking through an old bookcase to determine what books were too badly damaged, Connie stumbles on an old family Bible.&nbsp; Flipping through the pages yields an old key with an old piece of parchment in the end.&nbsp; On the parchment is written a phrase—Deliverance Dane—which she presumes is a name.&nbsp; <br /><br />Finding this name sends Connie on an amazing adventure to find a primary source for her dissertation and a possible key to the Salem witch trials.&nbsp; In addition, it could shed an interesting light on the life of women—especially cunning women—in Colonial times.&nbsp; <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wYUO8Zqm3vs/UTOp3SPjpAI/AAAAAAAACnE/zyrqTUzERIo/s1600/thoughs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wYUO8Zqm3vs/UTOp3SPjpAI/AAAAAAAACnE/zyrqTUzERIo/s1600/thoughs.png" /></a></div><br />This book spends a lot of time in the present; however, the audience is shown the story from Deliverance's POV and that of her daughter and granddaughter.&nbsp; Even though a lot of time is spent on Connie and the modern world, the author does a wonderful job welding these timelines together.&nbsp; And, in some ways, show similar struggles in the characters.&nbsp; In some ways, you can see how Connie is struggling with her different roles in life and new information and Grace's struggles being pseudo mirror images of each other.&nbsp; <br /><br />For me, it was obvious that this was the author's first book.&nbsp; There was a lot of intellectual dialog and syntax.&nbsp; That isn't an issue for me; however, the average reader might be put off by all of it.&nbsp; At a few points, I even found myself looking things up.&nbsp; That being said, having a background in history, I feel as though I had a little added advantage.&nbsp; <br /><br />Along with the syntax, I feel as though the characters were a little under developed.&nbsp; We don't see Deliverance, Grace, and Pru as much as Connie; however, I felt much closer to them.&nbsp; And they were far more sympathetic.&nbsp; Connie was too much of a stuck-up, book-wormy grad student.&nbsp; She was too much of a stereotype, which is an automatic turnoff.&nbsp; The author could have worked hard to flesh out the love interest.&nbsp; Just stating that he had a septum piercing and looked as though he was in a grunge band didn't tell me too much about him.&nbsp; Also, the whole plot surrounding her advisor felt a little too rushed, farfetched, and completely underdeveloped.&nbsp; A little more character development and time spent around that storyline might have greatly helped it.&nbsp; <br /><br />I found myself put off by the time period.&nbsp; The "modern" portion of the book took place in 1991.&nbsp; Usually that isn't an issue, but I found myself constantly needing a reminder that it was '91 and not more modern.&nbsp; Something about the style of writing didn't feel as though it was taking place over two decades ago, nor did she author expressly tell the audience that.&nbsp; For that reason, the flow of the book was drastically broken for me.&nbsp; <br /><br />All of that being said, the author spent a lot of time describing the setting, which made it feel even more real.&nbsp; She also appeared to know her stuff about the witch trials and doctoral programs.&nbsp; In addition, she posited some thought provoking theories about the trials and why they may have gotten out of hand.&nbsp; It definitely had me thinking and looking at occurrences in a completely different way.&nbsp; <br /><br />For a book primarily read on van runs, in the bathtub, and before bed, it really turned out to be quite good.&nbsp; Yes, I had issues with it.&nbsp; And, yes, it took awhile to dig through.&nbsp; However, it was entertaining, kept me engrossed, and made me think about things.&nbsp; <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Physick-Book-Deliverance-Dane-Recommends/dp/B005Q62QCS/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1399855963&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=the+physick+book+of+deliverance+dane" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bqn7Nlp5c1k/UUkPpX6u2kI/AAAAAAAACrk/EdP9cBAcgvE/s1600/amazon.png" /></a></div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4836308-the-physick-book-of-deliverance-dane?from_search=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YtXplzihiWo/UUkPsBW3IgI/AAAAAAAACrs/jQ87rF0s5tQ/s1600/goodreads1.png" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><img alt="Much love, Sinn" border="0" src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sig.png" /></center><div class="feedflare">
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~4/9QRODi87vXM" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~3/9QRODi87vXM/book-review-physick-book-of-deliverance.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (sinn)0http://www.sinnfulbooks.com/2014/05/book-review-physick-book-of-deliverance.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528973813853190533.post-8986857257446084755Sat, 19 Oct 2013 16:43:00 +00002013-10-19T10:52:33.981-06:005 skullsbook reviewhorrorjoe hillnos4a2slippageBook Review — NOS4A2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IOUr7lDNEr8/UmKs32pYHOI/AAAAAAAAC9w/Svmv8e7m-9g/s1600/NOS4A2_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IOUr7lDNEr8/UmKs32pYHOI/AAAAAAAAC9w/Svmv8e7m-9g/s400/NOS4A2_cover.jpg" width="267" /></a><b>Title:</b>&nbsp; NOS4A2</div><b>Author:&nbsp; </b>Joe Hill<br /><b>Genre:</b>&nbsp; Horror<br /><b>Pages:</b>&nbsp; Hardback, 692<br /><b>Publisher:</b>&nbsp; HarperCollins, April 30, 2013<br /><b>ISBN:</b>&nbsp; 978-0-06-220057-0<br /><b>Opening Lines:</b>&nbsp; "Nurse Thornton dropped into the long-term-care ward a little before eight with a hot bag of blood for Charlie Manx."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><h4>Rating</h4><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sinfulbooks_rating5_small.png" /></div><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"Victoria McQueen has an uncanny knack for finding things: a misplaced bracelet, a missing photograph, answers to unanswerable questions. When she rides her bicycle over the rickety old covered bridge in the woods near her house, she always emerges in the places she needs to be. Vic doesn't tell anyone about her unusual ability, because she knows no one will believe her. She has trouble understanding it herself.<br /><br />"Charles Talent Manx has a gift of his own. He likes to take children for rides in his 1938 Rolls-Royce Wraith with the vanity plate NOS4A2. In the everyday world and onto hidden roads that lead to an astonishing playground of amusements he calls Christmasland. Mile by mile, the journey across the highway of Charles's twisted imagination transforms his precious passengers, leaving them as terrifying and unstoppable as their benefactor.<br /><br />"And then comes the day when Vic goes looking for trouble . . . and finds her way, inevitably, to Charlie.<br /><br />"That was a lifetime ago. Now, the only kid to ever escape Charlie's unmitigated evil is all grown up and desperate to forget.<br /><br />"But Charlie Manx hasn't stopped thinking about the exceptional Victoria McQueen. On the road again, he won't slow down until he's taken his revenge. He's after something very special—something Vic can never replace.<br /><br />"As a life-and-death battle of wills builds—<i>her</i>n magic pitted against <i>his</i>—Vic McQueen prepares to destroy Charlie once and for all . . . or die trying . . ."<br /><h4 style="text-align: right;">~ Jacket copy</h4></blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ny8jHi1lLzM/UTp5TY-HOII/AAAAAAAACn8/trx8cBTACrU/s1600/whythisbook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ny8jHi1lLzM/UTp5TY-HOII/AAAAAAAACn8/trx8cBTACrU/s1600/whythisbook.png" /></a></div><br />Because it's JOE HILL!&nbsp; If there was a chance that I <i>might</i> pass up a Joe Hill book, please alert people that the apocalypse has come.&nbsp; Okay, okay, that might be a little excessive, but I've loved this author since I first picked up<i> Locke &amp; Key</i>.&nbsp; And I LOVED <i>Heart-Shaped Box</i> so much, I bought my dad and brother both a copy.<br /><br />Since it has been a little quiet on this blog and I've only been rereading books, when I saw this available at our local library, it was inevitable that I would pick it up.&nbsp; I like Mercy Thompson, but she was getting a little tired and worn out.&nbsp; I needed new blood ^_~ <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ajHSVE2Y3zc/UTp8C3rsYRI/AAAAAAAACoU/oigl_Wc-0mw/s1600/whatsitabout.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ajHSVE2Y3zc/UTp8C3rsYRI/AAAAAAAACoU/oigl_Wc-0mw/s1600/whatsitabout.png" /></a></div><br />Hmm, wow, I'm not even sure how to describe this one.&nbsp; Honestly, the jacket copy does better than I could ever imagine.&nbsp; Simply put, this book is a story within a story.&nbsp; It is about the childhood and adulthood of Vic McQueen clashing with the life of Charlie Manx.&nbsp; It is also about the differences between being a child and being an adult. <br />&nbsp; <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l_rPYwq1Vo8/UTp9v3lrKPI/AAAAAAAACog/GB9qxaTTOSs/s1600/thoughs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l_rPYwq1Vo8/UTp9v3lrKPI/AAAAAAAACog/GB9qxaTTOSs/s1600/thoughs.png" /></a></div><br />Quite simply, this book is about <i>slippage</i> and where the "inscapes" and this world collide.&nbsp; It reminds me a great deal of <i>Talisman, The Black House, </i>and<i> It</i> by Hill's father.&nbsp; In some ways, it could be argued that this book kind of pays homage to the Master who came before him and lead him into this craft.&nbsp; And it could also be a form of <i>It</i> for this generation.&nbsp; While Hill is definitely his own writer, it feel many loud elements of his father in his work.&nbsp; It's almost as though he is taking on his personage.<br /><br />In many respects, Manx is almost a re-imagining of Pennywise the Clown.&nbsp; He does something to the children in order to stay young, he makes them promises about living in a better place (Christmasland or an eternal circus), and they mention that the children "float" in this new, happy place.&nbsp; Further, meeting Vic McQueen as a child and then seeing her battle Charlie as an adult had serious echoes of the children in <i>It.</i>&nbsp; In some ways, both Maggie and Vic reminded me of Stuttering Bill.&nbsp; The reader will also see the pseudo fragmentation of the mind between the beliefs of children and trying to make sense of that as an adult.&nbsp; Also, using Wayne really helped to hammer that down.&nbsp; In addition, Hill also plays a little more with the concept of mental illness and the fragmentation of the mind in trying to make sense of all weird shit from childhood.<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"The difference between childhood and adulthood . . . was the difference between imagination and resignation." (533) </blockquote><br />I loved the casual mention of Craddock and his suit, the tip of the hat to his father's books on the map of the "inscapes", and the use of pop-culture and media.&nbsp; For me, Hill has always been able to draw me in with the pop-culture and media.&nbsp; What drew me to <i>Heart-Shaped Box</i> was just that.&nbsp; Also, the fact that Lou was a super nerd, read comic books, and went to conventions made me feel a little warm and fuzzy inside.&nbsp; And this is not to mention the name of Vic's son!<br /><br />It was s struggle to read this book.&nbsp; Knowing that my alarm clock would ring at 5:30 am, it was a fight to put this book down at night.&nbsp; However, everyday, it would be nestled into my purse and wait until I had a van run or a break.&nbsp; Everywhere I went, it came along.&nbsp; It got into my head like a damn drug. <br /><br />This book was beautifully written!&nbsp; It took something beautiful and full of magic (Christmas) and turned it on it's head.&nbsp; Honestly, after reading this book, I'm not sure I will <i>ever</i> think about Christmas the same way.&nbsp; And I'm not looking forward to my head boss wandering around singing Christmas music . . .<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/NOS4A2-A-Novel-Joe-Hill/dp/0062200577/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1382200923&amp;sr=1-1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bqn7Nlp5c1k/UUkPpX6u2kI/AAAAAAAACrk/EdP9cBAcgvE/s1600/amazon.png" /></a></div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15729539-nos4a2?from_search=true" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YtXplzihiWo/UUkPsBW3IgI/AAAAAAAACrs/jQ87rF0s5tQ/s1600/goodreads1.png" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Current Pages:</span> ???<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Current Progress:</span><br /><div style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); height: 15px; width: 185px;"><div style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 20, 147); font-size: 8px; height: 15px; line-height: 8px; width: 84%;"></div><span style="font-size: small;">42/50 books</span></div><br /><br /><center><img alt="Much love, Sinn" border="0" src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sig.png" /></center><div class="feedflare">
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~4/oDB1ml3T2FM" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~3/oDB1ml3T2FM/book-review-nos4a2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (sinn)1http://www.sinnfulbooks.com/2013/10/book-review-nos4a2.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528973813853190533.post-5640260260524015323Mon, 12 Aug 2013 01:07:00 +00002013-08-11T19:11:46.216-06:005 skullsbook reviewmoon calledpatricia briggsre-readurban fantasywerewolvesBook Review — Moon Called<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B9wJLnIhuhs/UggwKOtABFI/AAAAAAAAC84/sFlf3A2dqVw/s1600/moon+called.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B9wJLnIhuhs/UggwKOtABFI/AAAAAAAAC84/sFlf3A2dqVw/s320/moon+called.jpg" width="197" /></a></div><b>Title:</b>&nbsp; Moon Called<br /><b>Author:</b>&nbsp; Patricia Briggs<br /><b>Genre:</b>&nbsp; Urban fantasy<br /><b>Pages:</b>&nbsp; Paperback, 288<br /><b>Publisher:</b>&nbsp; Ace, January 31, 2006<br /><b>ISBN:</b>&nbsp; 0-441-01381-3<br /><b>Opening Lines:</b>&nbsp; "I didn't realize he was a werewolf at first."<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><h4>Rating</h4><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sinfulbooks_rating5_small.png" /></div><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"Mercy Thompson's sexy next-door neighbor is a werewolf.<br /><br />"She's tinkering with a VW bus at her mechanic shop that happens to belong to a vampire.<br /><br />"But then, Mercy Thompson is not exactly normal herself . . . and her connection to the world of things that go bump in the night is about to get her into a whole lot of trouble."<br /><h4 style="text-align: right;">~ Jacket copy</h4></blockquote><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0gJeLMQdc4w/UTOpuGqEwSI/AAAAAAAACm0/ozEtIDnE-hc/s1600/whythisbook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0gJeLMQdc4w/UTOpuGqEwSI/AAAAAAAACm0/ozEtIDnE-hc/s1600/whythisbook.png" /></a></div><br />My SIL gave me this book as a Christmas present, and I've been hooked since that point.&nbsp; My work schedule is rather crazy, so it is rather hard to find time to just sit and relax with a book.&nbsp; Wanting to finally catch up with the series, I decided to pick this book up again.&nbsp; I loved it the first time and thought it would be nice to rediscover it.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwOegNwGwCA/UTOpyhDJQII/AAAAAAAACm8/5_0JXP9dhRE/s1600/whatsitabout.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwOegNwGwCA/UTOpyhDJQII/AAAAAAAACm8/5_0JXP9dhRE/s1600/whatsitabout.png" /></a></div><br />After receiving a degree in History, Mercy Thompson finds herself owning her own garage and working as a mechanic.&nbsp; It really was not what her mother had planned, but it pays the bills and keeps Mercy happy.&nbsp; However, trouble is brewing on the horizon and shows up on her doorstep in the form of Mac, a lost werewolf.&nbsp; Growing up with a Montana werewolf pack, Mercy is fully aware of the ramifications of taking Mac under her wing, but she cannot turn him down.&nbsp; Unfortunately, when he is discovered, she is forced to bring Adam, the local Alpha, into the mix.&nbsp; What Mercy doesn't realize is that she just stepped into large political upheaval spurned by the struggle between wolf and man. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wYUO8Zqm3vs/UTOp3SPjpAI/AAAAAAAACnE/zyrqTUzERIo/s1600/thoughs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wYUO8Zqm3vs/UTOp3SPjpAI/AAAAAAAACnE/zyrqTUzERIo/s1600/thoughs.png" /></a></div><br />I loved this book the first time I read it, and it still held the same appeal.&nbsp; To me, it is an interesting story to have a walker raised by werewolves and completely caught up in the life and political matters of the pack while still managing to be outside of it.&nbsp; It is obvious that the author has put a lot of thought into this series, as well as research.&nbsp; Honestly, it's pretty nifty seeing a woman as a mechanic :)<br /><br />Even though I love this book, there are points that kind of drag, and it feels a little rushed at the end.&nbsp; Seeing the Marrock and pack in Montana allowed the audience to see a piece of Mercy's past and introduced them to Samuel; however, it felt as though the author could have spent less time there.&nbsp; The ending, while it made sense, felt way too rushed, and I wished the author gave the audience a little more time to adjust to it. <br /><br />Adam's friend will be an interesting addition, especially considering his role in revealing the werewolves to the public.&nbsp; However, after being a lone wolf for so long, it seemed rather strange that he so easily accepted a pack. <br /><br />There are some questions I have while re-reading it, but it was still a good read.&nbsp; And, considering the fact that I don't really have time to focus fully on a book, it was wonderful to just kind of zone out into it. <br /><br />I'm curious to see if the other books are just as enjoyable as the first time :) <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Moon-Called-Mercy-Thompson-Book/dp/0441013813/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1376268421&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=moon+called" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bqn7Nlp5c1k/UUkPpX6u2kI/AAAAAAAACrk/EdP9cBAcgvE/s1600/amazon.png" /></a></div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/71811.Moon_Called" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YtXplzihiWo/UUkPsBW3IgI/AAAAAAAACrs/jQ87rF0s5tQ/s1600/goodreads1.png" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Current Pages:</span> 10144<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Current Progress:</span><br /><div style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); height: 15px; width: 185px;"><div style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 20, 147); font-size: 8px; height: 15px; line-height: 8px; width: 70%;"></div><span style="font-size: small;">35/50 books</span></div><br /><br /><center><img alt="Much love, Sinn" border="0" src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sig.png" /></center><div class="feedflare">
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~4/aKxb0k0rXt4" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~3/aKxb0k0rXt4/book-review-moon-called.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (sinn)0http://www.sinnfulbooks.com/2013/08/book-review-moon-called.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528973813853190533.post-7631065978687260719Sat, 03 Aug 2013 14:32:00 +00002013-08-03T08:32:56.813-06:00theme song saturdayTheme Song Saturday<center><a href="http://sinnfulbooks.blogspot.com/2011/07/introducting-theme-song-saturday.html" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://sinnfulbooks.blogspot.com/2011/07/introducting-theme-song-saturday.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/theme_song_sautrday.jpg" /></a></center><br /><br />Welcome to <a href="http://sinnfulbooks.blogspot.com/2011/07/introducting-theme-song-saturday.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Theme Song Saturdays</span></a>, a new weekly meme, hosted by yours truly, in which we share our love of music and books! Since I love books <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> music, this meme is for fun to try to incorporate those two loves! Whenever I read a book, a certain song -- kind of like a soundtrack or theme song -- plays through my head.<br /><br />Want to know how to play? Head over to <a href="http://sinnfulbooks.blogspot.com/2011/07/introducting-theme-song-saturday.html">the Theme Song Saturday introduction post</a> to read the rules and get the code.<br /><br />Here's my pick this week:<br /><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/oOg5VxrRTi0" width="420"></iframe></center><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w-6_bgaCwoA/Uf0UHeFAMZI/AAAAAAAAC8o/-TiQAwi3kOA/s1600/moon+called.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w-6_bgaCwoA/Uf0UHeFAMZI/AAAAAAAAC8o/-TiQAwi3kOA/s200/moon+called.jpg" width="123" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="color: #cd3278; font-variant: small-caps; font-weight: bold;">Hungry Like a Wolf</span> by Duran Duran brings to mind the conflict between Adam and Samuel.&nbsp; Even though Mercy isn't necessarily part of either pack, both alpha males are trying to claim her was their mate.&nbsp; To a lesser extent, the song also reminds me of Mercy's desire to find Jesse, answers, and justice for Mac. &nbsp; </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />What's yours?&nbsp; Leave a link in the comments to your post ^_^<br /><br /><br /><center><img alt="Much love, Sinn" border="0" src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sig.png" /></center><div class="feedflare">
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~4/OnXtY5x9PpE" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~3/OnXtY5x9PpE/theme-song-saturday.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (sinn)1http://www.sinnfulbooks.com/2013/08/theme-song-saturday.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528973813853190533.post-6976996712184676089Sun, 28 Jul 2013 23:52:00 +00002013-07-28T17:52:26.242-06:003 skullsbook reviewrichelle meadsuccubus on topurban fantasyBook Review — Succubus on Top<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O6L6g1xAi5k/UfMbI95gwoI/AAAAAAAAC8M/EW0VjdCUZTI/s1600/tumblr_m5p267nnUL1qa2kueo1_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O6L6g1xAi5k/UfMbI95gwoI/AAAAAAAAC8M/EW0VjdCUZTI/s400/tumblr_m5p267nnUL1qa2kueo1_400.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><b>Title: </b>Succubus On Top<br /><b>Author:</b>&nbsp; Richelle Mead<br /><b>Genre:</b>&nbsp; Urban Fantasy<br /><b>Pages:</b>&nbsp; Oversize paperback, 326<br /><b>Publisher:</b>&nbsp; Kensington Publishing Corp<br /><b>ISBN:</b>&nbsp; 978-0-7582-1642-7<br /><b>Opening Lines:</b>&nbsp; "Demons are scary."<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><h4>Rating</h4><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sinfulbooks_rating3_small.png" /></div><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"Love hurts, and no one knows it better than Georgina Kincaid. If she so much as kisses Seth Mortensen, the shy, sexy writer she's been dating, she'll drain his life force. Admittedly, the shape shifting and immortality perks of a succubus are terrific, but it's completely unfair that a she-demon whose purpose is seduction can't get down with the one mortal who accepts her for who she is. . .<br /><br />"It's not just her personal life that's in chaos. Doug, Georgina's co-worker at a local bookstore, has been exhibiting bizarre behavior, and Georgina suspects something far more demonic than double espressos. She could use an assist from Bastien, an irresistibly charming incubus and her best immortal friend, but he's giving Georgina some highly distracting come-hither vibes. Georgina is going to have to work solo on this one--and fast, because soon, Doug's life won't be the only one on the line."<br /><h4 style="text-align: right;">~ Jacket Copy</h4></blockquote><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0gJeLMQdc4w/UTOpuGqEwSI/AAAAAAAACm0/ozEtIDnE-hc/s1600/whythisbook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0gJeLMQdc4w/UTOpuGqEwSI/AAAAAAAACm0/ozEtIDnE-hc/s1600/whythisbook.png" /></a></div><br />Well, since I liked the first one, this seemed like a logical choice :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwOegNwGwCA/UTOpyhDJQII/AAAAAAAACm8/5_0JXP9dhRE/s1600/whatsitabout.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwOegNwGwCA/UTOpyhDJQII/AAAAAAAACm8/5_0JXP9dhRE/s1600/whatsitabout.png" /></a></div><br />Georgina has finally decided to pursue a relationship with her favorite author, Seth.&nbsp; However, they cannot have a physical relationship without her sucking his life force.&nbsp; So, while struggling with that, Doug starts acting weird, she's sensing a weird immortal signature on him, and her old friend, Bastien, comes into town and needs help wooing a political figure.&nbsp; Could things get any worse for Georgie?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wYUO8Zqm3vs/UTOp3SPjpAI/AAAAAAAACnE/zyrqTUzERIo/s1600/thoughs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wYUO8Zqm3vs/UTOp3SPjpAI/AAAAAAAACnE/zyrqTUzERIo/s1600/thoughs.png" /></a></div><br />Okay, to be honest, it was brain candy, but I enjoyed it.&nbsp; I wouldn't say it was up to par with the previous book, but it was definitely enjoyably and a distraction.<br /><br />It was interesting to see an incubus, and the relationship he had previously had with Georgina.&nbsp; And I loved the history flashbacks that gave little tidbits and insight into her past.<br /><br />The whole thing surrounding Doug, the band, Alec, and the drug ended way too easily.&nbsp; It makes me wonder whether it's going to come back into play.&nbsp; Also, Georgie giving the drug to someone at the end kind of upset me, because it completely went against what she was trying to do in the rest of the book. <br /><br />Bastien, while interesting, seem was though it was just try to give something besides her non-physical relationship with Seth.&nbsp; And it was rather obvious what was going on with Dana from the start.&nbsp; Not sure why neither Georgie nor Bastien were able to pick up on that.&nbsp; However, the stuff surrounding Jody seemed a tad bit unbelievable and just thrown in for extra juice. <br /><br />It will be interesting to see where this thing with Seth goes.&nbsp; Honestly, I'm not sure how long the author can continue drawing this one out before they either say "screw it" and get physical or it ends.&nbsp; As it stands, they are rather boring.&nbsp; And most of the stuff dealing with their relationship seems dull. <br /><br />All in all, it was a mind numbing read and exactly what I needed.&nbsp; And, of course, I cannot wait to get my hands on the other books to see how everything turns out :) <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Succubus-Top-Georgina-Kincaid-ebook/dp/B00598KKL2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1375053636&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=succubus+on+top" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bqn7Nlp5c1k/UUkPpX6u2kI/AAAAAAAACrk/EdP9cBAcgvE/s1600/amazon.png" /></a></div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1316617.Succubus_on_Top" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YtXplzihiWo/UUkPsBW3IgI/AAAAAAAACrs/jQ87rF0s5tQ/s1600/goodreads1.png" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Current Pages:</span> 9856<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Current Progress:</span><br /><div style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); height: 15px; width: 185px;"><div style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 20, 147); font-size: 8px; height: 15px; line-height: 8px; width: 68%;"></div><span style="font-size: small;">34/50 books</span></div><br /><br /><center><img alt="Much love, Sinn" border="0" src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sig.png" /></center><center><img alt="Much love, Sinn" border="0" src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sig.png" /></center><div class="feedflare">
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~4/6rRcF7v261Q" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~3/6rRcF7v261Q/book-review-succubus-on-top.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (sinn)0http://www.sinnfulbooks.com/2013/07/book-review-succubus-on-top.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528973813853190533.post-4145683149549067452Sun, 28 Jul 2013 23:15:00 +00002013-07-28T17:15:03.711-06:002 skullsbook revieweroticalate nightmadeline sheehanMCmotorcycleundeniableLate Night Book Reviews — Undeniable<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nRBp7vcVltE/T8leuchgKEI/AAAAAAAACGE/RDHqPgNqaJ8/s1600/adults_only.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nRBp7vcVltE/T8leuchgKEI/AAAAAAAACGE/RDHqPgNqaJ8/s1600/adults_only.jpg" /></a></div><a name='more'></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cmf9kpp0Qio/UfWgDGPNw6I/AAAAAAAAC8c/0TqL8LjFu_w/s1600/Undeniable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cmf9kpp0Qio/UfWgDGPNw6I/AAAAAAAAC8c/0TqL8LjFu_w/s400/Undeniable.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><b>Title:</b>&nbsp; Undeniable<br /><b>Author:</b>&nbsp; Madeline Sheehan<br /><b>Pages:</b>&nbsp; Print, 334 <br /><b>Genre:</b>&nbsp; Erotica<br /><b>Publisher:</b> &nbsp; Self published<br /><b>ASIN:</b>&nbsp; B009N539DS<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><h4>Rating</h4><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JdcWxcV7ayQ/T_2hgXgae8I/AAAAAAAACKg/8oAZe90UrN8/s1600/sinfulbooks_rating2_small.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JdcWxcV7ayQ/T_2hgXgae8I/AAAAAAAACKg/8oAZe90UrN8/s1600/sinfulbooks_rating2_small.png" /></a></div><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"Warning: This is not a typical, sappy, love story. This is an all-consuming, soul-crushing, tear-your-heart-into-pieces story. It’s intense, gritty and raw, dark and disturbing, and it doesn’t happen overnight. This is an epic love story that knows no boundaries and has no time limits. It grows and develops—with hurt, sacrifice, and heartache—over the span of a lifetime.<br /><br />"Eva Fox is the princess of the Silver Demons Motorcycle Club. Growing up with bikers in the club lifestyle is all that she knows. When she’s a young girl, Eva meets the reason for her existence. Deuce West is the sexy, biker bad-ass of the Hell’s Horsemen Motorcycle Club. Like Eva, he was born and raised in the club—but that’s where the similarities end. Their first meeting is innocent, but as Eva matures into a woman, their chance reunions evolve into a fit of lust and love. Fate continues to bring them together time and time again, but their twisted journey is filled with pain, betrayal, and bloodshed that could tear them apart. Eva sees in Deuce what he cannot see in himself—a man worthy of love—and Eva spends her lifetime proving to him that her undeniable love is the one thing he can’t live without.<br /><br />"This is Eva and Deuce’s story.<br /><br />"It wasn’t easy.<br /><br />"Nothing worth doing ever is.<br /><br />"And love is worth everything." <br /><h4 style="text-align: right;">~Amazon</h4></blockquote><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0gJeLMQdc4w/UTOpuGqEwSI/AAAAAAAACm0/ozEtIDnE-hc/s1600/whythisbook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0gJeLMQdc4w/UTOpuGqEwSI/AAAAAAAACm0/ozEtIDnE-hc/s1600/whythisbook.png" /></a></div><br />To be honest, the allure of a MC club was too much to pass up.&nbsp; My in-laws used to be part of a MC club and hanging around those people can be a lot of fun.&nbsp; And, when I had time, I used to love Sons of Anarchy.&nbsp; Hots guys in leather, bikes, etc. are a big damn turn on.&nbsp; So, when being in the mood for a little erotica, this one kind of piqued my interest.&nbsp; However, the love story between people with an eighteen year gap kind of caused me some issues.&nbsp; But I decided to give it a chance. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwOegNwGwCA/UTOpyhDJQII/AAAAAAAACm8/5_0JXP9dhRE/s1600/whatsitabout.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwOegNwGwCA/UTOpyhDJQII/AAAAAAAACm8/5_0JXP9dhRE/s1600/whatsitabout.png" /></a></div><br />While visiting her father on Rikers Island, Eva Fox meets the son of a rival MC club, Deuce.&nbsp; Even though she was five-years-old, something about the twenty-three-year-old caught her attention.&nbsp; It could have been the icy blue eyes, the blonde hair, or the fact that he appreciate her taste in music and Chucks.&nbsp; Whatever it was, Eva has been obsessing about him ever since.&nbsp; Finally, after several chance meetings throughout her childhood, she decides to give everything to him and take a chance on love.&nbsp; Unfortunately, everything seems to be against them from the start.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wYUO8Zqm3vs/UTOp3SPjpAI/AAAAAAAACnE/zyrqTUzERIo/s1600/thoughs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wYUO8Zqm3vs/UTOp3SPjpAI/AAAAAAAACnE/zyrqTUzERIo/s1600/thoughs.png" /></a></div><br />Sheesh, not even sure how to put it review into words.&nbsp; Admittedly, I was able to tear through the book rather quickly, but it wasn't that hard.&nbsp; The content and writing style was simplistic at best.&nbsp; Plus, having "fuck" every other word made it a breeze to read.&nbsp; And, at some level, I really wanted to know how it would end.&nbsp; Glutton for punishment, I suppose. <br /><br />I hated all of the characters.&nbsp; Eva was a horrid heroine, especially when it came to Frankie.&nbsp; It was rather disconcerting that she was raised inside the clubhouse and saw all of the debauchery going on.&nbsp; Granted, knowing that her father was a single parent, I'm not sure how else he would have raised her.&nbsp; But I would have thought he would try to protect her from some of it.<br /><br />Deuce was the typical bad boy that any girl would fall for.&nbsp; And, if I was in her place as a teenager, I probably would have fallen for him, too.&nbsp; That being said, with a young daughter, I was rather surprised at how he behaved concerning her.&nbsp; It was more than disgusting. <br /><br />This book just felt like a series of events and mishaps thrown together.&nbsp; For me, it was felt was though I was watching afternoon television. <br /><br />As a way to kill time, I suppose this book is okay.&nbsp; The author seems to know something about MCs, motorcycles, etc.&nbsp; Other than that, it's pretty boring, bland, and doesn't stand out.&nbsp; If you can find this book for free on Kindle, maybe give it a chance.&nbsp; If you have to pay for it, stay away.&nbsp; It's not worth it.<br />&nbsp; <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Undeniable-ebook/dp/B009N539DS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1375051994&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=undeniable+by+madeline+sheehan" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bqn7Nlp5c1k/UUkPpX6u2kI/AAAAAAAACrk/EdP9cBAcgvE/s1600/amazon.png" /></a></div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16109563-undeniable" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YtXplzihiWo/UUkPsBW3IgI/AAAAAAAACrs/jQ87rF0s5tQ/s1600/goodreads1.png" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Current Pages:</span> 9530<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Current Progress:</span><br /><div style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); height: 15px; width: 185px;"><div style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 20, 147); font-size: 8px; height: 15px; line-height: 8px; width: 66%;"></div><span style="font-size: small;">33/50 books</span></div><br /><br /><center><img alt="Much love, Sinn" border="0" src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sig.png" /></center><center><img alt="Much love, Sinn" border="0" src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/eternal_synn/blogtemplate/sig.png" /></center><div class="feedflare">
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~4/geeDj2QsPz8" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SinnfulBooks/~3/geeDj2QsPz8/late-night-book-reviews-undeniable.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (sinn)0http://www.sinnfulbooks.com/2013/07/late-night-book-reviews-undeniable.html